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75-29 


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"¥RA PAOLA^ 



A PLAY IN r^UR ACTS, 



CLARHNCH OUSI.EY AND BEN C. MASON, 



Copyrighted 1896, by Ou.sley & Mason. 
(all rights reserved. ) 



N. B.— This copy is the property of the authors, and 
must be returned to them at Galveston, Texas. 



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3 



"FRA PAOLA," 

A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS, 

BY 

Clarence Ousley and Ben C. Mason. 

4 



Copyrighted 1896, by Ousley & ^son. 

(all RIGHTS RESERVED. J ^ dyCi. t-f 



galveston, texas: 
Knapp Bros,, Book and Job Printers, 

1896, 



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CHARACTERS. 

FRA PAOLA Ah Old Priest 

LUCIEN DeBRAY Lover of Mile. Corsica 

PIETRO Corsica's Foster-father 

SERAFINO A Footman 

GEN'L HENRI DeBRAY Father of Lncicn 

ELISE GAFFERI A Corsica?i Singer , known 

to the public as Mile. Corsica. 

FIORDELESSA Corsica's Maid 

LUCIA Fra Paola's Housekeeper 

LITTLE MARIA A Child Niece of Lucia 

Police, Guards, Judges, Officers of the Court, 
Peasants, Etc. 
PLACE; Piacenza, Italy. 

TIME: 1819. 

Twelve Hours are supposed to elapse between acts 
one and two; one month between acts two or 
three; twelve hours between acts three and 
four. No intermission between first and sec- 
pind picture in act three. 



"FRA PAOLA," 

A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS, 

BY 

Clarence Ousley and Ben. C. Mason. 



ACT I. 

Scene — Mile. Oorsica's villa at Pdaoeuza; 
a richly furnished drawing ix)iom in ilia 
style of the Empire. Arches R. open 
initio conservatoiy, which is shown. 
Arches 'alt back, thix>ugh which are 'S.e?n 
the tei-rac^e and the garden, wi'th the 
river Po in the distjanoe. 

(^A'heu curtain rises Soratino is discov- 
ered dusting and polishing the furniture.) 

Sera— (Dusting) Work, work, work! 
Nothing buit work from morning till 
nighr. One might ithink the King 
himself were coming. For three long days 
I have slept, except at udghit, nor 
eaiten. except at meal times. Never a mo- 
ment's rest do I get, but that I am dis- 
turbed by some one. Firsit comes old 
Pietro, who sia5's: "Serafino, go to the 
raiaster's rooms" — calls theji the master's 



rooiMis, as ithoii.^h he w&re already in- 
stalled in the bomse. "CtO to the masiter's 
ro«>mis," says be, ''and d'o this or that;" 
mosit frequently "do this and tha't," and 
beforie I can do this and take a map, ere' I 
undertake that — ^nay, before I can giett a 
cup of wine ere I undiertake tbis, along 
coimes the houisekeepor, who says: " Siera- 
fino, dast the drawing room," and before 
I can find the dmsifing )irush, here conies 
the mistresis, Mile. Corsica, bersielf, who 
says: "Serafino, now do plie'ase keep siob^tr 
and 'Sif:'ay awake, and attend to tihe mas- 
tor, aind here's a franc [looks at bis haiidj 
nay, here was itbe frane-ntbe wine seller 
bais Ic now. I had the wine; bat, alas! 
that, toovhais paissed away. And aigain 
old Pietro' comes along, the old villian. 
"iSeraifinO', goi to the. mas'ter's rooms" — 
s^till the master's/ go' to the raaister's 
rooms," says be, '/and do this or that," 
generally, ''do this and that;" and ag-aln 
coimeistbe bouisokeeper, who siays: "Sera- 
fino, the drawing room needs dusting," 
and yet again comes the mi'stress, who 
says: "Seirafino, do keep siober and stay 
ajwake, and prepare for the master, and 
here's a franc for you — " nay, here was 
the franc, nioiw gone to keep the Oftber 
company. "Keep sober and !stay awake," 
as if I could keep sober and stay awiake 
while her commands always end with a 



6 

franc. As I am now ait the' dusting, the 
raistrefis is next in order. By all the 
svaints, I hear the rustle of heir skirts, and 
limag-ine the jingle of the franc. (Works 
furiously.) 

[Eniter L. 3. E. Lucia. She stop's in 
asitonishment.] -, 

Lucia — The saints preserve us I Wha.t 
miracle is this? 

Sera — (Turning tO' her) Oh, it is you, 
is it? I thought it was n|fl*iistire^^i 

Lucia — Which accounits for your sud- 
den fit of industry. I thouglit it was a 
di-eam. 

Sera — Nay, may. no dream, but a soiber"" 
truth, foireitelling how I would toil and 
slave for you. 

Lucia — Pshaw! You should raither 
say, ho'W I should have to toil and slave 
for you! But w here's your mistress? 

Sera — (Pointing to mirror befoire whiich 
she stands) Behold the mistres of my 
heart! 

liUcia — Pshtaw! Do stop your silly 
talk; I am ashamed of yoii! Where is 
your misitress? I have no time to waste; 
I come on important busine'S's from Fra 
Paolo. 

Sera — I doubt if you can see her. The 
m.istTess is engaged. (Knowingly) Oh 
verv much engaged, indeed. But (mys- 



teriovsly) lanon, she will have sonne most 
important biisiji'esis for Fra Paolo. 

Lucia, — Indeed. (Siite.) Wh'ait busi- 
nesis ? 

Sera — lOh, most importanlt, and most 
serious business. She wiill require his 
churehly offices. 

Lucia; — For wha:t purpose? 

Siera — ^To perform ttlie righlt of mai'- 
riage. 

Lucia — Oh, ho! With whom? 

Sera — ^I would it were 't^'ixt j'ou and 
me. 

liUci'a^Bah! With whom? 

Sera — (Impaltiently) With my master, 
who is coming today, of course— him foa* 
whom I am dusting and toiling, working 
and slaving, lieeping aiwiake and staying 
so)ber, until I vam almosit ready for my 
grave! 

Lucia — So? I had not heard of thiis. 
And who is thifS new masitieir, I pray ? 

Sera — I know not, except th'alt he is a 
poor student, and plajs upon; the flultie. 

Lucia — ^^A pool* student who plays upon 
the flute! And is thait the best husiband 
she can get? Truly yo'ur mistress is a 
eltrange woman. 

iSera — How do you m^ean? How 
sltrangie? 

Lucia— Is it not strange that one so 



rich shiO'Uld be content 'to wed, 'as you 
say she will, a po'or student? 

Sera — 'Tis because she loves him, Lii- 
cila. 

Lucia — ^Because she loA^es him. Bah! 
I might fall in love with ymi; but do you 
think I'd marry you? Not whiile I have 
my sober sienses. No, foir 'a.ll slue loves 
him, 'twill be a sitrange match. And then, 
agiain, I never could umlorstand, why 
su'ch a great singer, who might choose the 
fairest spot on eaiibh ro live in, should 
come and spend her idle time in Piacenza. 

Sera — 'It's because one who is veiy dear 
to her liC'S buried here— her father. 

Lucia — Is it so? I did not know. 

S.e:ra — (Impressively) There are many 
things, my mis»tresis, which you dO' next 
know. 

Lucia — (Sharply) Yes, and there tare 
many things which I do not want to 
kiiow. I have no time for goissip, nor 
tta-sfte for things which don't concerni me. 
I thank the siaints I am no scandial mong- 
ing gossip. Not I, indeed. But, tell me, 
this new master, whence comes he 

Sera — From France. 

Lucia— Whence came all the robbers of 
Italy with Napoleon at the head. 

Sera — But Napoleon is of Corsica. 

Lucia — Worse isitill ; a very Nazarite! 

Sera — But Mile. Corsica comes thence. 



8 



Liiicia — Ah, as the blessed SavioT from 
Nazareth — all th'e good that was in it. And 
i»h& js, I ithink, lab'oitt' all the goml left in 
this iinhiappy Italy, except Fiia Paolo, 

Sera — (Sits besidie her on soifa) And 
yourself, my charmer. Don't forgiet your- 
sielf, siweeit misi^reisis. (Pni*s his arm la round 
her and is aboiilt to kiss he^", she being not 
nnwllling-. when little Marii'a enters.) 

Maria — Why, Aunty Luicia! Is Sera- 
finoi kissing you? (Serafino' and Lmcia 
jump up and separaite, inuch embar- 
raiS'Sied.) 

Lucia — You wilful child! Howi daire 
yoii eoine into the house? I told you t'o 
wait oiutsiide. 

Maria — I wanted to see the good lady. 

Liiola — ^^Well, 'she is not here. Soi run 
aw'ay this instant; do you hear. Your 
aunty's busy. 

Maria — (Groing) Yes, Aunty Lucia. 
(Sitops at door) Aunty LuciAi, was Sera- 
lino tryii^!? tio Jiisis you ? 

Lucia— 'Certainly not. How diare you 
say such a wicked thing. Your aunty has 
an awful toothache, and Seraiino was 
but looking at it; he's gomg to ma,ke it 
well again. Kiss me, ind'eed! I'm sur- 
prised at you. 

Miaria — ^Are you going to miake it well, 
Serafino? 

Sera — Yes— oh, yes — o-f course — I'll 



9 



make it well. (Aside) Oh, JLfOrd, what a 
chiW! 

^Maria — Poor Aun'ty Lueia, I'm 'SO sorry 
for you. (Kissed her and is about to gH>, 
when Corsica enlters C. D. frcm terrace.) 
Oh, there's the good lady. (Runs to Cor- 
sica, who isboops and IjIS'S^s her.) 

Corsica — Ah. There is my libtle g-irl. 
How iis my ch'erulb today. (Serafino' groAs 
up sitag^e.) 

Miairia — I'm well, but poor Aunty Lueia 
is sick. 

Co^-sica — Aunty Lucia sick? "NMiy. 
what is the matter with Aunty Lucia? 

M-aria — (In spite of Lucia's efforts to 
siience her) She ha^s an awful toothache, 
biKt Serafino is going to make it well. 

Corsica — Se;"^afino is going to make it 
well? 

Maria— Yes. When I .?ame ini he was 
looking at it. H^ 'was holdling his face 
right close to hers, and blowing in her 
mouth. It was so fanny. I thought he 
was going t.> kiss her, but Aunty Lucia 
said he was looking at her tooth, and is 
going to make it well again. Do you think 
he can? 

Corsica — (Laughing) Oh, yes; he will 
ma/kie i<t well. 

Lucia— Come, now, run away, you bad 
girl, you woiTy Mile. Corsica. 

Ck>rsica — Nay, no(t half so' much I 



10 

siiigi)e<Ci: as she woirrTOs some one elsie. But 
kiss me, child, and run to the housekeep- 
er's room, and 'tell her I say bo gtive you 
somieithing ni^e. (Kisises child, who runs 
out.) Ah, SieraifinO', sitill making love to 
Lucia, eh? Upon my word, this is be- 
coming sei^ioiis. Well, I wish you suc- 
•eess. Why don't you siaitiafy him, Luctia ? 
I'm sure be will make you a. good hus- 
band— 4f you can keep him awiake and 
sober. 

]juci;a — I dombit it noft, Mille., if one 
could keep him aiwakie and siober; but Ihe 
if is too big for one of )ny age. 

Oo'rsica — Since jtiu think lit is isuch a 
great undertaking, you would best begin 
without further delay. But itiell me, how 
is your master, good Fra Paolo? Whait 
ne\^'S bring you from him? 

Lucda— 'Fra Paiolo is not so well today, 
or hje would have come himisielf to see 
Mile. But when he returned home thiis 
evening he was iso completely 'Wprn out 
that I persuaded hlim tO' lie down and 
rest. H'e looked so pale and worn, and 
sieemed so weak and faint, thnti when he 
siaid he had business N^'ith you I insisted 
thiait be le^t me come instead. 

Ciorsica— Deiair Fra Paolo! We must 
take good care of Mm, Lucia. Think, 
what would Piacenza do without him. 

Lucia— Ah, Mile. That's what he says, 



11 



when I beg Mm to go aw.iy, if only for 
a few days, to take a rest. S-ays he: 
"Lucia, were I to go away, what would 
beecmie 'of my poor? A few days might 
mean little to you or me, buiti think how 
much it w'ould mean to them." 

Oorsica— 'Dear soul! Always thinking 
of others, never of himself. 

Lucia — Yes, Mile., Fra Paolo is the 
very best mian that ever livetl. He is a 
greiat and learned pries-t, bu't he thinks too 
much of others audi too little of himself. 
If it were not for me he would never ha^-e 
a shirt to his back! 

Corsioa— Then we must take good care 
of you also, Lucia. But yon say you have 
some message from him. AVhat is it? 

Lucfiia — Aye, aye, I had aluiost forgoti^en 
it. Tired and sick as he was, his 
thoughts were s'tdll for anotther. He sends 
to you a poor A^'oman, of whom he says 
you know, and also sent this note, which 
wiill explain to you better than I can. 
(Gives note to Corsica.) 

Corsica — (Reading noite) I send to you 
the woman Fiodelessa, of whom I sipoke. 
You siaid you would assist her, and I 
confide her to your care. I have heard 
her most unh-ippy story, and believe she 
is worthy of your charity. I would have 
brought her myself, but Luda, who is 
growing rather tyrannical, insisted upon 



A 



n 



tny resting for a whilie. (Readis closing 
, li:Ai^s in silence.) Where is this woman? 

''Lncia— She waits omtsiicle. 
-' CiQirsica — ^Bring hei* to me. (Siits R.) 
./ Lmeia. — Yes, Mile. (Goies to L, 3 E. and 
beekO'ms.) 

[Enter Fioirdellesisa.] 

liiicia— This, INIlle., ;Ls Fiordievessaa . 
(Reitires up sitage wii'th Serafino.) 

Corsica — You aire welcome, madamie. 

Fior — ^Nay, Mile., not ma dame, nor yet 
Mlje. (She is apparently mortified.) 

Oiorsiica — Noir nuaid, nor matron? Alas, 
this is, indeed a nwsit unhappy state. But 
tell me, whait can I do for you? 

Fior— Give me work and shelter, Mile. 
I am desititute and friendlesis. 

Corsica — Nay, not friendless, for tihea-e 
is Father Paolo and myself. 

Fior — (X X to her, kneels and kisses 
her hand.) Ah, Mile., how good you are; 
hoiw can 1 thank you? 

Corsica— (Raising her) N-ay, do not 
thank me; thank good Fra Paolo, who 
sent you to me. 

Fioii^-Give me the opportunity. Mil.)., 
and I will show my gratitude. Fra Baoilo 
will itell you thait I am capable and hon- 
esit. Givie me but the ch'A.nic€' and I will 
prove 'thia:t I am such. 

Corsica— Fra Pao'lo has said so; 'that 



13 



is enoug-h. I meed a mia^id. Will you 



serve me: 



FioT — AVith iny whole beart, iMlle. 

Ooirs'ica — I a:ii in need, too, of the ad- 
vice of one older and more experienced 
tlvan myself, for I am aboiiit tO' be mar- 
ried; so you shall be ait once my maid and 
counselor. 

Fior— Ah, ]\[lle., I fear I am unworthy 
of such a itru^it, but with Grod'w help I will 
])e faithful. But (emba.rnas'sed) Mile., be- 
fore you take me into such confidence, 
^^'ould you mot raifcher I ishou'd tell you 
who and what I am? (Turns aiside mor- 
tified.) 

Corsica — Not now. Has noit Fra Paolo 
S'aid yoQ are capabl'e, honest and deserv- 
ing? and my own heart 'tells me you are a 
loving womin. What more need I know? 
Some other time you miay itiell me your 
stoiry, buJt not now; you are fatigued. 
Serafino (Serafiuo comes do'wn from ter- 
race, where he has been with Lucia), 
Serafino, rhds is "^ladame — " (pauses, 
with lemphasis on "maid/amie," at wMch 
Fior looks up graitefully) Madame Fior- 
dellesisia. She is to be my maid. Madame 
is fatigued, take her to the housekeeper, 
and let her be shown her* room, that she 
may vest. (Serafino stai^'ts to go and 
waits for Fior.) 

Fior — (Aside to Corsiiea) Ah, Mile., you 



14 



are !tok> kind to me; when you hear the 
Ms'tiory of my paist, I fe'ar^ 

CcTsiea — ^With, th'e past I have nothing 
to do; I live only for the fuitiure, (Turns 
away fromi her. Fiordellessa pauses a' 
moment, and then follows Seri'fino off L. 
3 E.) 

'Consiea — (Turns and sees iFioirdielless'ii 
exit) Poior -n'oman! M'ore sinned again st 
than sinning, I dare say. (Goes up 0. and 
calls) Lucia! (Oomeis down and :si!ts.) 

TEniter Lucia C, from terrace.] 

Lucia — iSUle: called Jiie? 

Corsica — Yes. Say to Fra Paolo thait I 
received his message' and accept itliis 
charge. Tell him that Madame Fiord e- 
lesisa wall foir the future be my ma'id. Say 
thiaJt I regret to hear that he is indisposed, 
and trusit he will be able to join us to- 
morrow ait dinner, for one who' is very 
deair to mje arrives today. [Enter Sex'a- 
fino L. 3 E.] Well, Senaifino, you have 
worked bravely today, 'and as a reward 
you may oscort Lucia a part of her way 
home. (Goi3S (to cabinet and takes out 
moniey.) And here is a franc for each of 
you. 

Sera — (Holding mxt h'i® hand) Mile, is 
too kind. 

Corsica — Nay, on se'cond thoughts, I'll 
give them both to Lucia; for if you are 
to marry, it is the same as if I gave it 



15 



to you; if not, tliien the wine seller will 
get so nin<?h the less. (Gives money to 
Lucia and X X to oonseTTatory R.) 

Siera— (To Lucia) Don't you think I 
would best carry the money for you; you 
might lose it on tlie road. 

Laei/a — Never fear; I'll not lose it; my 
poekert; is both strong and deei>. (Puts 
mn^ney in her pocket. They start off L. 3 
E. On arriving at C. D. each sitops and 
bows to the other, to go fir sit; at la.st Sera- 
fino gallantly takes her right hand in his 
left, and leads her off, while with hiv«f 
right hand he roibs her of the money.) 

Corsica — (Who has baen w^atcluing 
them) Ah, the rogue, he has them 
both. So it is with a woman. Flatt'er her 
a little and you nuiy rob her of 'all slie 
has! [Goes out on th? terrace and looke 
off", then retturns.] Speed on! speed on, 
oh, diay, that brings my Lucien hence! 
Lash the laggard minutes till they fly 
and make time swifter than its normal 
course. [Takes up hour glass from table 
and shakes it in affected anger.] Oh, 
you slow and tediouis thing! Measuring 
hours by the icount of sands. No wonder 
the eager world found something faster 
than your funeral pace to march by I 
(Turns to clock.) And you, you stolid 
white faced thing; you are no better with 
your tick-tock, tick-tock, counting time by 



16 



gravity, when humian heaiits are riiniiiiig 
with the ispeetd of raicing isifairs! Move on! 
move on! (Rnns to clock and turns the 
hands forward until the clock stdkes.) 
Tliere! rin? your memeist chimes, and 
so keep time with the wedding bells in 
here! (Pres'Sing her hands tO' her hieai't 
and laughing hysterically.) 

Pietro— (Calling v^'iithouJt L. 3 E.) Sera- 
fino! Serafino! Serafinol yo'd lazy dog, 
[Enteiilug L. 3 E.], go 'at onoe to the 
master's rooms. (Perceives Corsiica.) 
Youir pardon, Mile., I thought itha/t ras- 
cal Serafino wa>s in here. The la.ggard 
leads me a lively chase. 

Corsiea — (Sits R. C.) He eannoit be 
a laggard, then, if he leads yon such a 
lively chiase. 

Pieitro— (Adancing to C) Mile, is in- 
clined to be merry this evening. 

Corsica — And 'why shouldn't I be gay? 
Is noit my LuCien coming? Oh, my old 
friend, I'm so happy, it seems that 
in my heart, there will never again be 
room for sorrow. 

Pietro— (Meaningly) Is it ^o? But in 
this hour of happiness, do not let joy 
crowd duty oat of mind. Remember you 
are a Coirsican ! 

Corsica — (Saddened) A Corsican! 
(Rises) Aye, I am la ICorsican! (X X to 
L.) Oh, Pietr*>, it is icruel, that this dujty, 



17 



as yon call it, should be itbni.^t upon me — 
(pause.s.) BuJt. as you siay, I am' a Ooriii- 
ean! I .sometimes wish that I were not. 
(Goes up C) 

PLettro— (R. 0.) What? You would 
deny 5- our birth? 

Cwsiea — (Up C, turns to Mm) I would 
murder ! 

Piietro — Murder? It is justice! Ah, 
child, whait is thliis changie that hlas come 
over you? (She turns away up, he itakes 
R., then retturns R. G.) Ah, this is 
the work of that meddling black robed 
priest, who, like tine othei's of his 'tribe^- 

Oorsioa — (Coming half down C) 
Enough! Fra Paolo is my friend! 

Pietro— Your friend, iinde3d! And I; 
I am naught! Well, so be it. (Stairts to 
X R.) 

'Corsica— (Going to him) You? You 
are the bes-r and deairesc f ouster father in 
all the world. (Kisises him.) Ah, Piebro, 
Pi&tro, fo'rgive me, I did not miean to be 
unkind. Come, let us lalk no more of 
this. It m'akes me sad, and today I 'want 
to tliiiuk only O'f my happiness. (Goes up 
conseirva'tory R. 3 E., and busies herself 
with the flowers.) See ho-w beautiful these 
roses are; even, the flowers seem to share 
my joy, and yield tkeir brightest blooms 
today. 

Pietro — (Persisting, follows her up C.) 



18 



Do yoii remember -whsii diay this is? 

Oorsica — (L. 3 E.) It is the day my 
I^iicien eomes! It is the begiiuning of 
my 'Calendar of life. All behiud it is 
forgotten ! 

rieilro^(C.) Forgotten? Child, child, 
can you forge!:? This is the anniversiary 
•of yoiiir father's' murder. 

Ooi'sica— (L. 3 E.) Enough! I'll hear 
no moire. 'Tis cruel of you to' torture me. 
(Pietro (is about to speak.) No more! I 
will not listen to you! I will not think of 
it. I will forget it. (Groeis up C. to- ter- 
raice.) 

[Coirsica itakes isibage restlessly, and 
s-eemis lat first to be indifferent to Pietro's 
recital of her father's murder, and tries 
noit tio listen, but gradually becomes in- 
tensely interested in spite of hierself . Ple- 
tro apreai's to be talking to Iiimself , but 
ais soon ais h-e sees the limpression he has 
miade, he uses every effort to excite her 
vengeance. During thie first pairt of the 
scene he mast watch her furtively, to 
guage the eff'iCt oif his^ words, and work 
up scene accordingly.] 

Pidtro^(Xing a little to R— sadly) For- 
get it! Can a child an a new fownd love 
so soon forget a father's murder? For- 
get it! Clan she forgeit that here, 
this ve'ry day, three and twentty years 
ago, the last of all the great Gaffeni race 



19 



wa* slain? Here the day Napoleon 
crossied the I*o, I laid to re^t the noblest 
of all Cwsieanis. (Corsica conies down to 
tfible R. and ^oes up ag'ain.) The honor, 
the glories of war were not for him. The 
vich-es, the blessiings of pe'ace^ he never 
knew. He was not even allovved to die 
a soldier's death, biiit was slaughtered to 
give a villian praoti'oe AVith his sword! 
Forgeit it! 'Tis to me as though it were 
but yesterday! Go where I will, 'tis ever 
before my eyes. Sleeping or waking, I 
seeem ito hear his voice calling for ven- 
geance. (Corsica comes slowly now down 
R. C.) DeBray was in the wrong, and 
would ha^e croiwded the troops upon the 
bridge until it went down. My master 
rebuked him, rebuked him before the 
soldiers, as lie ought, though DeBray held 
a higher rank. Thereupon the French- 
man challenged my master, who knowing 
not even the name of feair, upon the in- 
s,^anit ansi^'ered that he was ready to de- 
fend himself. The cowai-d, being a skilled 
swordsjuan, and knowing th;at my mas- 
ter's arm ^as disabled from a wound, 
sprang at him ^ith hisi sabre. The Gaf- 
feri squared away, and wielding his 
sword with Ms left arm, defended him- 
self as best he could, and with such amaz- 
ing valor that he smote the Frenchmian 
on the cheek, and left his mark upon hiiui, 



20 



and by th.i't mark he shall be known — a 
sabre cut from eye to eiar! 

Corsica— (B'ack of table R., repeating 
to herself) A .siabre cut from eye to lear — 
I shiaJl kno'W him. 

[Serafiuo retnirns L, 3 B. Stops on 
seodng CoTsiea and IMctro, listienkSi a mo- 
ment and then steals up C, and iconc^-als 
himself behind a pillar, I'listealng intent- 
ly. Oorsiea comes to chair R. O. Pie'^ro 
X X to her.] 

Pietro — ^Now seethe contest rage! Agiain 
and again DeBnay rushes :tO' the charge. 
Again and again my juaster parries his 
thruist. How the steel clashes and hoiw 
'■he fire flies from their angry blades. 
(Corsiiea has now sunk in chalir R, C, 
and Pietro leans over her as he d'e- 
seribes the fight.) Amazed and pairalyzM 
v^^itli awe, rhe soldiers s,tand muitely by, 
and dare not raise a hand to stop them. 
The very horses, ais if sharing the spirit 
of their masters, rear up on their 
hauimchies an*l paw the air in vicio'us fren- 
zy! Piereer and fiercer the conflict 
rages; faster and faster fly the siwords. 
I can no longer look upon the sotnie. I 
turn my head away and weep. Suddenly 
the clamor stops, and when I look, aigain, 
the FrenchmaUi rides away, and there 
upon the groimd my master lies. Hiis 
eyes are open, and look wisitfully into 



21 



mine; and though he 'cannot speiak, in 
those greta't eyes I r.eiad his laist oom- 
niand. It is to commit to his 'child the 
lesson of his fate. A pressure of the 
hand, a long dKivvn sigli, and all is' over. 
And itlioi-e n^pon the banks of the Po, the 
last son of the great Galferi family lies 
di!?ad! (Pauses.) They 'said it \ras a duel! 
A duel? It wasi an aisisasisiniation! 

Corsiex — (As if in la diream) An assaiS- 
sinaition! ( C^orsica's hand, which is rest- 
ing nei'vously on the table at her K. now 
touches the knife wliich is lying there.) 

PLetro^ — ^While rhe woraiis fed upon his 
IxKly his unhappy wife wept her life 
a-way, and dying lefit a little babe 
to the cai-^ of old Pietro and his 
wife, for back among the hills of Cor- 
sica, where men are brave and women 
true, and "tin eye for an eye, a tooth for 
ai tooth, 'a life for a life," is the law of 
ag.^! ct«refully and tenderly did old Pie- 
tro and his wife rear this little child, and 
ais sh^e came to womanhood she heard the 
sitory of her father's death, and leairned 
thie siacred law of vengeanea^, and so she 
made her voiw— that isomewhere, siome- 
how, some time, she would find this mur- 
derer, and deal with him as he had deal: 
with hers. 

[Corsica grasps knife convulsively and 



22 



springs to her feet, overcome wiith emio- 
tion,] 

Coirsicia — (With knife) And so she will! 
And siO' she will! A saJbre cut from e.ve 
to ear! By thait miark he shall be known. 
Fear noit, old friend, I'll not forget. As 
he dealt with miiue so wiill I deal with him! 
The Gafferi spinit lives in .spite of sex, in 
spi'le of love, and the Coirsiiean law, "a 
ife for a life," survives the wreck of 
ages. 

[Serafino, who has been lisitening, be- 
comes alarmed, and exits hastily L. 3 
E.] 

I^ietro — Sh! I heard 'a footstep! 
(Snatches the knife from Corsica and 
looks about R. and L., then comes back 
and places knife on table R. Corsiica has 
taken stage L.) Nay, 'tis nothing but 
my iminginaition. I am getting old and 
fanciful. (Sound of hoi-ses' hoofs heard.) 

Corsica — ^Hark! A horsieman is co'ming 
up the avenue. (Runs up C. to terrace.) 
It is he! It is Lucien! (Stands on ter- 
trace waving her hand off R.) 

PieitTO'— (Aside, bitterly) Lucien, Lu- 
cien! Always Lucien! The thought of 
Lucien drives all else from her mind! 

[Enter liUcien on t'errace from R.] 

Lucien — 'Corsica, my love! 

'Corsica — ^INIy adored. (Th^ej' embrace.) 

rietro' — (Aside) And 'tis an this new 



23 



found love she forgets a dia lighter's duty. 
Bah! It makes me sick! (Exit R. 3 E. 
into eonsiervatoiT.) 

[Corsica and Lucian come do":^'n.] 

Lucien — (On her L. H.) Come, let me 
look at you. I can scarcely believe I do 
not dream, that 'tis rerally you I hold in 
my arms once more. Let me y<ee, the same 
bright eyes, the s'ame iititle nose, the siame 
hair, and the samie sweeit lips (kisses 
each.) The same dear face unchanged, 
unless it be that you have gro^wn more 
beautiful. (She slits R. C. ; he sibs on the 
arm of chair with his lai-ms around her.) 
Tell me, stweeitheart, are you glad to see 
me once more? 

Corsica — (Seated) With thosie dear 
arms about me, I feel ais if such happiness 
were too sweet to laist. 

Lucien — ^My own! (Kisses her.) Houv 
long it ,seem.is since we parted. Let me 
look at you again! (Kisses jiea*.) Did it 
seem long to you? 

Corsica — 'Twas but « mouth; thait is 
not such a long time. 

Lucien — (Aggrieved) Not such a long 
time? (Ivooks at her, she smiles.) Ah, 
thus I punish you for those cruel words. 
(Kisses her.) 

Corsica — If that is to be my punish- 
ment, I m'ay be tempted to repeat the of- 
fense, i j 



24 



Ludeu — It may not have sieiemed a long 
time to you, but to me it was an eitei'ni'<:y. 
I wais aflamie with impatience to see you 
again. 

Corsicx — Then 'why did yo<u not come 
.s'ooiiie'r ? 

Lucien— I wanted to bring my father 
with me, and I waited for him. 

Corsica^ — Your faitlier! All, bow hiap- 
py I will be to see him. Where is be? 
Did be oome with yoii ? 

Lucden — (Ilises) Yes, for he .is very 
anxious to see bis future daugbtier. He 
will be here in a lititle while. When we 
weire within a shont disihan'ce I 'Could no 
longer curb my impatience, and rode on 
ahead. I lexpect him eveiy momenlt. 
(Goes up C. and lookiS off.) 

Corsica--The sooner the bettier. I long 
to welooniie him. 

Lucien — (Has come down to back of 
table R.) And now that I am here I shall 
never let you lelave me again. I shall 
pu)t the I'ove of a month inibo leacb minute, 
and into ea eh hour the dievotijn lof a year, 
and everj^ day that you deny yourself to 
me shall be ais a year O'f famine. Ah, I 
a.m so happy, that I feel as if I would go 
mad with joy. (Sees knife upon table 'and 
pticks it uji.) Why, what a ^vicke'd look- 
ing dagger! And Avhiat singular carv- 
ings. A born of plenty on such a knife 



25 



ais this is ra-her ouit 'of pkce. Ah, thie 
hlsude is gapped, too, as if it had seen 
iser^ice. Is it yours? 

Gorsioa— y es. (Eniba rra sed .) 

Luoien^Indeecl, I will be almO'St afraid 
of j'oTi it yoM keep such mm-deroiis wea- 
pons as this. 

Corsi'oa — ^It is an heirloom, and is close- 
ly eounected with my family historv'. 
S'onie day, when you iiiave heard my sad 
sitory, you 'will undersifcand why I yalue 
it. Do you feel no misgivtin.^s ? Reme ii- 
ber you scarcely know who or whait I am. 

Lucien — (Behind her chair) I kuDiw 
thait you are the best and truesit 'women 
in all the world; I know that I love you; 
that is enough fo'r me. ^Leans over and 
kisises her, and then takes stage land I'ooks 
about.) What a Deautif ul place yoix have. 
Tell me, Coc'siea, can it be that you will 
give up all thlis weaJith and luxury, yoiu* 
glorious career, the excitements and 
pleasures of a singer's life to beieome the 
wife of a poor student? 

Corsica — (Rises and thro'A's hersself in- 
to his arms) Can you doubt me? 

Lucien — But suppose I were not a 
simple student, that I, too, were rich and 
of noble I'ank? 

Corsica — You rich and of noble rank! 
WliaJt do you mean? 



26 

Liicien— Listen, 'Siwee'the'ai''t, and for- 
give tb,e de'cyptioii. 

Corsica— Deception ? 

lAicien — When I finsit f^aw you upon the 
s'tage in PairJs, I feirin love wd'th you, and 
sw'ore that you sihoukl be my wifie, and 
90 told my father. He, hiaving- va foolish 
aversion for actresises and public singers, 
consenited thait I should ta'y to win your 
heart and hand upon the condition thiat 
I should conceal from you my true name 
and rank, saying that if you were willing 
sacrifice your whole caTeeir for the 
love of a nameless pauper, he would be 
mioire than glad 'to c'all you daughter, 
laiid so it lis. I am not tlie poor nameless 
•student whO' would drag you down to 
poverty and want, bur, thank G^od, I can 
offer you wealth and luxury, and a niame 
as pure and noble ais any in all Francie. 
Now, dO' you forgive me? 

Corslicia — Foirgive you! I A^orship you. 
But then your name is not Bienville? 

Lueien — My name Bienville! No. 
(laughis) that was the name of the poor 
student. My name is— (sou aid of eairriage 
wheels, etc., heard off stage). At laist my 
father (rashes out on ten'aice). 

Corsica— tAh, it seems almosit Avicked to 
be ajs happy as I am now. (Takes R . C . ) 

I Re-enter Lueien with Greneral DeBray; 
they oome down C, Lueien on R. H. of 



27 



Grenoral. At the same time Piefcro emtei'S 
qiiickly from conseo-Tatory R. 3 E., and 
passes to R. of Corsica.] 

Pie!tro — (Reoogniz-mg De Bray) De 
Bray! (Aside to Corsica) Behold (the 
mark! A sabre cut from eye to eiar! 

Lu'ciea— This is tlie happiest momient of 
my life. At 1-asit I will see, baid in hand, 
the 'two I love best in all the world , my 
father and my wife. This, Jvllle., is my 
father. 

Gonsioa— (Aside) A sabre euit from eye 
to ear! 

Die Bray — Mile., I rejoice in the choice 
of my son. Permit me to offer you the 
la&supancos of a father's love. [Advanices 
and extends his hands to Corsica, who 
has been gazing at him horror stricken, 
and shrinks back.] 

Corsica— The manie! the name! Tell 
me who and' what is tliat mian? 

Lucien— Why, Corsica, whiatt is the 
niabter? This is my fiatlier. General Hen- 
ri De Bray. 

Corsica — De Bray! Then you — (De 
Bray advanc3s towards her.) Don't ap- 
pro'aeh me! Don't touch me! Don't touch 
me! [Falls fainting in arms of Pie!tro^ — 
Ludien steps toward her but is repuls^^d 
by Piietro.] 

(Curtain.) 



ACT II. 

Soene— Tbe .garden in f point of Paiolo's 
hiouise, which is seen aft back, joining 
the church, which occupies R. of sltage. 
Practical dooi-s in liouse, R. 'and L., 
hirgie airched doiiblie door in chiirch, 
^^'ith three steps leading up 'to it. Boith 
chnrcli and honse should Jiave itliie ap- 
peairance of being- very old, co'veri'd 
with vines, etc. 

[Lucia is dis-^overed working among the 
flo\\'eirs.] 

Lucia — (Working as she spealcs) A 
preifcty state of tilings, upoo my woL'd. 
Quieer ways tiiese stage isiingers hiave. If 
I didn't knoiw Mile. Corsiica to be an 
angel without wings; and Fra Paolo, 
who I firmly believe ba'S wings ne- 
neiaith his eoait, tO' be 'the besit 
mian in all the world— 'well, I shouldn't 
know what to think. Bah! I don'<t 
know wliri't to think, a^s it is. Bah! housie- 
keepers hare no businesis to 'think, 'any- 
way. (Sings.) Still, I can't holp think- 
ing, it's mighty strange— and other people 
will think vso, and say so, too, wh'icJi is 
moire to th'?' point— for -a. young woman to 
leave her iiome in the dea'd of the night, 
and take refage in the hoaiae of a priest. 
Refuge? That's what she said— refuge . 
Refuge from what, I'd like to know? 



29 



And in secret, toio, for Fra PaoJo says no 
■one rausit know she is here. Humph! No 
one to know she is here. I'd like to knoi v 
how we are to prevent it from being 
known, when the whole town seems to 
hja-^ie (the run of Fra Paolo's house. I 
don't think — pshaw! there I go — (think- 
ing ag'ain, and heaven knows it is no basi- 
nesis of mine what thej' do, or ho.w the^^ 
do it. I' ve lenough to dO' to attend tO' my 
own affadrs, without troiibling- myself 
■about things that don't conce'.'n me. Bat 
what I ^'ant to know is, what will slie 
do with herself, or rather, what will Fra 
Paolo do with her. She can't s>ta> here 
forever. 

[Enter Fra Paolo.] 

Paolo — Lucia (slie starts), 

Lucia.— Saints alive! how you fright- 
ened me. 

I'^aolo — Jrlia our guest eaten her break- 
fast? 

Lucda — Yes, yoair reverence, at leaist she 
hias looked at it, for the poor ladj" did 
not eat enough to keep a bird alive. 

Paolo — Poor child! Can I see hei-? 

Lucia — She asked for you, and 'said she 
wished to see yO'U when you returned. 

Paolo — Very well; yoii may lell her I 
am here. (Sits.) 

Lucia — Yes, your reverence. (Is about 
tO' exit in the house.) 



30 



Paolo — (Stopping her) liUcia! 

Luioia — (Reiturning) Yes, your rever- 
lence. 

Paolo— Ha.s she been ouliside 'the house ? 

Lueia — ^No, your res^erence. 

Paolo — Aud no one has seen her? 

Lu'ciia — No, your reverience. 

Paolo^ — Veiy well, you may go — but re- 
m.embeir, Lucia, be careful, that you tell 
no one of her presienee here. 

liUeia — Yes, your irevoirenee; but will 
your Te^ereni^e tell me ■ 

Paolo ^This is her private affair, Lueia. 
She seeks refuge in the s^anctu■alT. Let 
that be sufficient. 

Lueia — Yes, your reverence; entirely 
sufficient. Heiaven kno^ws I <i\m not one 
of the kind whO' vsmnt tO' know what 
don't concern them. Aud I th'ank the 
•siaimtis, I have no curiosity. St'ill, your 
reverence, it does seem 'Sitrange — 'that 

Paolo — Yes, I know you are a good 
^voman— a very good woman— yooi miay 
go now (kindly). [She sifcarts again to go 
lin house when he sitO'ps her.] Lucia, 
(She returns.) I have been to see Bene- 
deitito. The poor fellow is very bad, and 
I feiar is near his end. He is very weak, 
and needs nourishing food. Don't you 
think you could send him somfe of yoiir 
nice soup and a little wine? 

Lucia — ^Hujnph! Soup! Wine! Indeed! 



31 



And, pray, wliere is the wine to come 
from? Precious little 'Wine this hou^ie 
evei see?. 

Paolo — If there is no wine, buy Mm 
some--(smilin.i>:). You are my treasurer. 
There must be some money left. 

Lueia — ^Yes, thanks to me, there is 
s'ome money left. Very little there 'would 
be if 3"ou luad the IrandJiuig of it. Giving 
soup and wine to beggars and going with- 
out your.s.elf! 

Paolo — (G-ently) They aire my Father's 
children, Lucia, poor, though they miay 
]>e. As for myself, I hiave enough. 

Lucia — Yes, thanks to me, you don't 
die of starvation. Giving soup and wine 
to beggars. (Stai-;is in liouse, and stops 
as though sitruok with a sudden thoughic; 
returns to C.) Fna Paolo. (He is wrapt 
in thought and does not hear) Fra 
Paolo I 

Paolo — Yes. 

Lucia— W'lMit has become of that new 
■shirt I made for you last week? 

Paolo— (A'oseatly) The new shirt? 

Luoia — Yes, that new shirt! Have you 
so many that you can't keep track of 
them ? 

Paolo — Oh, yes, Lucia, I forgot to tell 
you. A poor mian came the other day— 
you were not here — he was in rags, Lu- 



32 

cm, in rags; I could find no othier, iso I 
giave Mm thalt. 

Liicra^( Angrily) Yoai gave ithiait new 
sh-irt to a mLsieivable dirty beggar! (Biegins 
'tio cry.) You'll give away the shioies off 
youir fee^t next! 

Paolo— (Groiag to hier) Thiere, there, 
Lucia, there'® a good woman. lam sorry 
I hurt your feelings — but lie needed it 
more than I did— iindeed, hje did! Come, 
3^011 sliill make me anuther one, and I 
promisee you that I will wear it ! 

laicia — (Half aside) Mtuke another one! 
Humph! If I do, I'll fasten it ai-oiind 
your neck with a loC'k and key. [Exit 
Lucia in house.] 

Paolo — (X X and sits) Lii2'ia is a good 
womian, a very good iwoman, but I am 
■afraid she is growing a lit'tle selfish. I 
must talk to her 'about it, I must talk to 
hier about it. 

[During the above speeh Little M'airia 
enitem quietly, with a bunch of wild flow- 
ers; she slips up behind Paolo and covers 
liis eyes with her hiands.] 

Maria — 'Guess who it i's? 

Paolo— A greiat big mian? 

Maria — No. 

Paolo — ^An— ugly old woman? 

Mair'ia — ^(Laughing) No. 

Paolo^ — A bad boy? 

Maria — No (laughing). , 



33 



Paolo— Then it musit be a pretty little 
girl. (Draws ber around in front of Mm.) 

iMiaria — Yes; I believe you knew who 
S/t wais all the time. See whalt I've brought 
yoiu (giving Mm floweirs). 

Paolo — Ah, what pretty flowers. (Smell- 
ing them.) Almosit as pretty and sweet 
ais you are. And what shall I give jrou 
for them? 

Maria — Five kisees. 

Paolo-^Five kiissm. Now eoumt the'm. 
(Kisses her five times, while she counts.) 
Now, one for g.x)d measure. (Kisses her 
again.) 

[Enter Luda from housie.] 

Miaria — I picked them for you myself. 
Don't you like little girls to pick flowers 
for you? 

Paolo— Indeed, I do. 

Lucia — Come away, Maj-ia, you bother 
Mis reverence. 

Paolo — Nay, Lucia, "of such is the 
Kingdom of Heaven!" 

Maria— Isn't Aunty Lucia funny? We 
mustn't mind her, because she's siick. 

Paolo— Sick ? (Keproa'chf ully) Yoa 
never told me, Lucia! 

Maria — Yes, she had an awful tooth- 
ache, yesterday. 

Lucia — (Disturbed) Maria! 

JMaria — You said you hiad. 

Lucia — Maria, go in the house! 



34 



Mai-ia— You did; land you said Seraifino 
was gmng iro make it 'well. 
Paolo— Indeed? 

Miajria — Yes; it's i&o funny. He hiolds 
ber face '(?lo'Se to his, so [biisinieisis] like 
be was gJing ito kiss hpir, and blows in 
heir mouth, and it's well! 
Ivucia — INI aria ! 

Paolo— Serafin'O musit be a wonderful 
doctor. 

Lueiii — (Aside) Siain'ts, preserve us! 
what will she say next? 

Maria— (To Paolo) Don't you like Sera- 
fino? 
Paolo — Yes, A'ery much. 
MaMa — ^I think Aunty Lucia likes him, 
(too. Don't yt)U? 

Lucia— (Aside) Grod bless my soul! 
[Paolo slightly puzzled; looks first ait 
child and !then a.t Lucia, then th^e truth 
diaiwns upon him.] 

Paolo — ^Yes, I think she likes him, too. 
But I hope her tooth will not become SiO 
bad a!S to miake mie loise my housiekeeper. 
Ijucia— (With meaning) Do not be 
afraid, Fra Paolo, my tooth in emtiraly 
well. But I was to toil you that Mile, is 
ready to receive yo^u. 

Paolo— I will go tO' he'r. (To Miaria) And 
you must pick me another bunch of flo.v- 
ers, and we will take them this evening 
to la poor sick mian. (Abouit to exit.) Re- 



35 



miember. Lucia, be cautious. (Esiit in 
house.) 

Lucia — (Watelies Paolo exiit then X X 
to Ma.ria and brings her C.) N^-w, see 
what you Aave done! You ha\'e made Fr.i 
Paolo angi-y with your foolish talk about 
Serafino, and such nonsense. Now, lis- 
iten to me, and remember what I say — 
Don't you ever again, in all your life', 
daire to ifcell anything that you may siee 
or hear. Do you imdersitand? Keep 
eveiTlthing to yourself, or nobody will 
like yx>u, and the angels v\-ill not take care 
of you, and the devil will ge<t you. Now 
go and pick your flowers and remember 
whait I've -sail. 

Maria— I'll rejnember. (St-arts to exit 
and pauses at emtrance.) Aunty Lucia 

Lucia— Well, wha/t is it? 

!Maria — You do like Serafino; don 'it you? 

Lucia — •Begone, you wicked child. (Ma- 
ria exits.) 

its.) The child is becoming too observ- 
ant, and altogether too curious. Though 
heaven only knows where she gets tliose 
traits; for her mother, like myself, was 
most indifferenit to what did noit concern 
her. (Starts to work among the flowers.) 
But the thing that puzzles me is. why 
is Mile. Corsica so distressed. Only yes- 
terday she was all happiness, and today 
she is — (Serafino' sings withouit. Lucia 



36 



turns and loolvs off.) Pish'aw! Here 
comies thait plague of a Serafino, land by- 
all the saints, he's drunk. [Works among 
the fliowems — enter Serafino— 'comfonfcably 
drunk, but endeavoring to appear sober.] 

S'era^Saints preserve us! What is this 
I see? Is it a vision? 

Lucia^ — il don't wonder that you isee 
visions. You'll see snakes nexit! 

Sera, — A vision, indeed; A special rev- 
eLationi in the shadow of the church! An 
angelic vision*! 

Luci'a — ^What are you miouthing at? 

Sera — At j^ou! The fairest flower in 
this fair garden. Would I could pluck 
thee as I do this rose! 

Lu'cia— Psiaw ! You are drunk. 

iSera — 'Nay, not drunk, sweet misitresis, 
buit intoixjicaited with love of you! 

Lucila — *Then you've been dreaming of 
me, for by the token of your features, 
you have been drunk Ihese inany hours. 
The day is too young for such besdtment. 

Sera — ■(Impiressively) I have not slept. 

Luci'a — 'So much the worse; yoii have 
been drunk all night. And very drunk 
at that. 'Tis a lucky thing I kept the 
money the mistress gave me safe in my 
own pocket. (Puts her hand in pocket 
and finds money gone.) Why, 'tis gone! 
Now where? (Pauses and looks 'at Sera- 
fino — then, suddenly.) You villian; you 



37 

stole my money! Ah, I remtf Tiber, moiw— 
giive me my money! 

Sera — (Who is tiding to look innocent) 
Now, Lnoia. 

Lncia — •Sileno'e! Don't speak 'to me! 
Get yon gone! I'll have naughit to dio w'th 
you. 

Sera — O, do not scold, sweet miisitres^ ; 
do not scold; I will explain. 

Lucia — 'Begorie, I say; I've done with 
you forever! (Turns from him and at- 
tends to flowers.) 

Sera— This to me? 

Lucia — Yes, to you. 

Sera — Nay, be noft angry with me; for 
if I am a irttle neiwous, I hiave good 
cause to be, for I have hfiiard that which 
v»tould drive a sirronger man ito drink. 

Lucia,— (Turnin>g quickly) What did 
you hiear? 

Sera — What did I hear? I heard — oh, 
what awful things I heard. 

Lucia^^But tell me, there's a; good man; 
what was it that you heaiM? 

Sera— Should I tell yoii what I heard, 
it might drive you to drink, or may- 
be to woirse. 

Lucia— (Aside) Belzebub take mian! 
Will I never get it out of him? (Aloud) 
Never fear for me, my dear. I hiave 
strong nerves and a stout heart. Oome, 
tell me, w^hat did you hear? 



38 



Sera — (With drnniken impireisisivenes'.O 
I heard, oh, Lucia! Lmeia! Lucia! There 
will be trouble in the houise of Ooirsiiea. 
There is blood an the ni'O'on ! 

Luciia — ^^Trouble in the housie of Co-r- 
sica? AVhat do you mean? 

Sera^Listen; when I returned yester- 
day, after seeing yon safe on your way, 
I went to the draivVing room, where I had 
left my mistress to neport for diity. 
(Aside) And for a franc. (Aloud) As I 
entered the do-or I found my misitress aind 
that oM rillian, Pietro', lin such violent 
oonyerse, that th^y did not perceive me^. 

[The actor must remtember thalt Sei.r.i- 
fino is still drunk.] 

Lueia— Violent converse ? 

Sera — Aye, violent ecnverse. They 
spoke of fire, duels, revenge and murder, 
and my mistress grew more and more 
excited a^s old Pietro 'spoike. At liaist — 
even now it makes my bl'Oiod grow cold 
to think on ;iit — ^shie seizedi a dagger, and 
holding it above her head, cried oiut: "As 
hie dealt with mine, 'so Avill I deal with 
him!" At this I grew frightened and ran 
away, and have not yet returned. I was 
so unstrung that I did, indeed, seek a 
stimulant to brace my shaittered nerves. 
But I am not drunk, swe.et misitress. not 
drunk, only unsitrung! 

Luciia— And is that all you have to tell ? 

Sem— All ? And is it not lenough ? 



'-■ Lucia — Go home, you silly fool. Still 
I say, you're drunk, and drunk jon were, 
when you played the eavesdropper, or you 
would have guessied the truth. Mile. Cor- 
sica is an aetiresis and «he and Pietro did 
but aot a geene from some .stage play. 

Sera— Nay, nay, this was no' play act- 
ing. They wene in de<adly earnest. 

Lucia — 'If this is all you have to say, 
get you gome! How dare you comie to 
me with your idle tales. Do' you ithlink} I 
have naught tO' do but to goisisiip and piT 
into things which concern me not? Go 
honie and gO' to bod and hold j^our drunk- 
en tongue. (ThreaJtens him.) 

Sera— Farewell, sweett misitresis, farj»- 
weU; I go, but if you hear of bloody 
deeds, knovv that I told the truth, land 
that I was not drunk, but unstrung! 
Farewell, sweet mistresis. (Lucia drives 
liim off.) 

IvU'cia — (ReHirning) The silly, drunikeu 
fool; but yeit, 'tis sitrangc — ^sitraiige! [Is 
about to en)^'i'r house when Paolo enters 
W'i'th Corsica. Lucia stands aside for 
them to ent^^r, then exits in house. Paolo 
takes Corsica to bench, 'where slie sits.] 

Corsioa— It seems like a terrible dreajn. 
I eannot realii^e it 'all — I who was ^o happy 
yesterday, couniting the minutes until )Dy 
Lucion came, and now — (weeps). 

Paolo— (Standing over her) Peace, my 



40 

diaiighltar, peaiee! Conitrol yoiiris'ellf and 
tedl mie all. 

Ciorsica — ^At last, a? I bave told you, 
h,avii:n;g ridden on in adT'anioe of his fait her, 
Lucien came. Shonitly 'aifteTward his 
ftxither arrived, and was presented to me. 
At ithe 'Siame time Pietro len'tered the 
room. He andi (the general recognized 
eaich lOther aft once, and befoire I 'oould 
•take the outsitretched hand, Pieitro whis- 
pered in my ear, "Behold the mark, a 
'Salbre euit froiai eye to eair!" I looked and 
saw it glowing m\ his cheek .like a thfing 
oif fire. God ha-ve mercy on me! The 
faither of my lover was Henri Die Bray, 
the muirderer of my father, whose death 
I had sworn ito avenge! 

Paolo — Poor child, poor child! 

C'orsica — I wais eom.ple'tely O'vercome, 
and sank almosit fainting in old Pidtro's 
arm.s. Then, pleading a sudden illness, I 
retired to my room, for I had to be alone. 
I threw myself upon the bed half 
stunned with the blow. How long I lay 
there I do not know. Gradually the full 
horror of the situation forced itself up>n 
me. My brain was on fire, f.nd a, voi je 
■seemed tO' keep ringing in my ears, "Your 
lover'is father is your faltheir's murderer!" 
Again and again I heard that voice, un- 
til I thought I ishonld go miad ! 

Paolo— Pooir 'child, poor child! 



41 



Corsica— 'What should I do. I could 
nott barm tlie faither of my Lucien, and 
yet a great gulf had suddenly opened be- 
*tiween my lover and myself! Marriage 
with Luci^n beoame impossible! We 
must pairt, and forever! But \vha:t reason 
could I g'ive? I could not tell him thait 
his father was guilty of sujh a crim.^! 
Therefore, I must never 'see nim again. 
Oh, how my heant laciied! I must gi^'e 
up all ithat wais dear to me on eiairth. My 
resolution was quickly taken. I wiailted 
until all the housie was quiet, then leav- 
ing a note for Luoien, begging his for- 
giveness for what I had done, and bid- 
ding him farewell forever, I crept out 
of the house and came to you. 

Paolo — (Reflecting) And in this note 
you told nothing, 'aissigning noi reason for 
your flight? Tell me, as nearly as you 
can exactly what you wrote. Can you re- 
member? 

Cotrsica — ^Remember? It dis written on 
my heart in letters of flame. It was 
my death warrant. This is what I wrote: 
"My own heCoved, forgive me for wihat I 
am aibout to do; I can not help mytself — 
it is my duty! .Forget that I ever lived. 
FareweM forverer!"' 

iPao'lo-^Then aDl may yet be weU. You 
love Lucien? 

Corsiica— Love him? I adore Ihim! 



42 

Pao'l'o— Your niottie g^avie no rea'Son for 
your diepiarture— (iit cain eaisiiily 'be expiadm- 
ed. Beturu to lii'm, 

Oorsioa— iRieturn to iliim ? Iim!pios.sdK'e ! 

PiaoiLo — ^Coimie, ilet u.s be reaisoiuiajhle. 
Your f aitiber was kiiMed in a diuel. Triiie, 
Piiietro isaijis, aui uafiaiir aidvainttag'e wa^s 
taken of iMm; but PLetro iis prejiudiicied, 
aiuid bis love for Ms master may Ibave 
'warped bis judgimemit. iGieuieral De Bray 
iwas a.n bonoina'blie miaiu, moted for bis 
'bravery — ^a man wlboise wboue career ba.s 
beeuy free from spot or sitain. Is it likely 
:tibat sucb' a m!a,n as itbis iwoiuld stoop to 
murder? Woi£d a brave man take sucb 
a.n unfair advaantage of bis enemy ? Du- 
■eilis are iborrible tHiii'ng^s, bait'eful iiu tbe 
eye® of God amid main ; but tbey were, a'ud 
istiu'l are, ooly toO' ooimimon in our armiies. 
■'SiboiULd wie hoCd General! De Bray, oir 
even your own fatber, reisipomsiible' for 
■wibat in tibose idiayis> 'Wia's lunfiO'rt^unately 
Jooked' upon as a matter of eounse ? 

iCorisri'oa.— (Rdisiug dmdignantily.) Yon de- 
fend bim? YiOU defend tbe miirdei-er of 
any fatbier? 

Paoilo— ^No'i I do not diefend^ bdm, but it 
grieveis my 'SoUl tO' see, by a. basity aetdon, 
tbe bappdness of two yonng lives forever 
wrecked. Cotme, retuirn to Lucden and 
renounce this vendetta!- 



43 

Consioa— TIbait wonlid maike me despd- 
eaiMe in tihe eyies of every Ciorsii'oan ! 

PaoCio — But 'how pleasiiing in the eyes of 
<Giod I 

Coirsicia — (After a pause.) No, mo! I 
cam nott— <at leas't not yet. I mU'St leave 
'hjere. You musit proc?ure me a eonvey- 
a.nioe, so tba't I ca,n ileiave Pd'acenza to- 
sniig'lit in isecret. Noft evem P'iietro must 
know wliere I am — I could not bear his 
repnoaiobes, tihoug'h 1 dreaid to think of 
vrhsit may Ihappen -to Lueien',s father if I 
leave Pietro 'beMnjd. But I can not take 
tom wi'th me. I musit be ail one — aloaie 
with my soitow. A)h! D'O no-t look »o 
isad. I liave foirgiivem,— ^truly forgiven. 

Paofjo — Forgiven? 

iCiorisrlcia — Truly! I could ruot harm my 
Lucien's father!' 

Paoilo— ^Biit if he were inot Lucien's fa- 
ther? 

■Corsiica — ^(Intensely.) Tlhen it were bet- 
ter he ihad miade this' peace iwiith God! 

Pao;l.o— Amd this, you ca.lil forgiveness? 

•Corsica — Ah, Fra. Paolo! Yo>u do not 
undersitamd ^he Oorsiican nature. God 
Ihelp me, for I do not under sita.nd myself I 
Do yoiu not see the .sitruggle that is going 
on 'Within me? Do not rebuke m^e — coun- 
sieil 'me— 'Comfort me, for my iheaa't is 



44 

■breaktitng. (Tihiroiwis liepsielf, siobbing, at 
ihiis feieft.) 

P'aiollo^— (Riaisji'n,^ her.) Seek comfort 
tlhere. (Piointiiimg do tine icihiiurdh.) 

'Oopsiiea — (S^adlly^-itiirniiinig awiay.) I d-are 

Tl'Oit. 

Pa'OilO'— Diaire niolt? 

Oorsiioa — With siioh thoiughits, as a,re 
{now surgiLng ithrough my hrarn, I daire aiot 
eiifceiT isuioh la hoJy plaioe. 

PaoCio*— Go/d, laiiid God lail'omie, can help 
you 'to renoiiniee tih'osie thougihts! Coime 
Jet us go together, ihiamd ia Ihamd, iside by 
isiidie, we willil pray to God for comfort, 
for counsel land for heJlp! Come — ^do not 
feair to tax his patieimoe ; iit is- as infinite 
lais hiis .love, and ais enduring .a:S eterni'ty. 
In his arms there is rest; in his piresence 
iliigiht. Come, my ohiM, 'abide in that rest, 
S'eek that light, lamd' fiind ooaisolatioini in 
itihat perfect peace, wihidli paisisies \a:lil u.n- 
derstain/dimg ! Gome — uet uis go — 'to God ! 

[Exeunt Paolo amd C'Oirsica in church — 
then Seraifi,no lis heard caCjling off stage.] 

Sera.— ^OW'ithout.) Dudia! Ducia!! Lu- 
cia!!! 

[Einter ILucia excitedtly from ihouiSe.] 

Duciia— Hey dey! Hey dey! What's 
the imatter ? 
• [Einter Sieipa:fi:no^ — irunini'ng.] 

S'era.— Oh, Ducia! Lcucia! Lucda! 



45 

Luoiia— iBe qui'et. Dom't stand' tlietre 
Sih'outin'g "Lucia! Lucia! Lucia!" at me! 
Why don 'it you speak? Are yiou mad or 
dT.unk? Wihiait is 't!he matter? 

Seira— ^E•ve^yltlMng^s itlie matter! Miur- 
der is tlie matter! 

Lucia'— (Reooilinig.) Murder? 

Serial— Yes, mairder! BJoody murder! 

Lueiia' — Ajnd iwiho ihais 'been murdered? 

Sera — He ilias! Now wilil you believe I 
ispoke *he truthi? 

Lucia — But wibo? wiho? who? 

Sera — ^GeueraJ De iBnay!' 

Luoiia— iGrenerail Die Bray? 

'Sera— ^Sig. Luc4ein'is fia'tiher, amid tihie po- 
a'ice are coming ihere to searoli for heir.. 

Luciia^-To •seardli for ihier? Wiho? 
■Speak nuan! W'liat do yoai mean? 

[Einjter co'mmiisi&ary of police amd offi- 
cers, foiY^owed at a dJsitamce by Pietro, 
iWiho, iunseen by the others, remains in 
the baickgroumd anxiious.ly wa>tohing the 
sicene.] 

Com. — Let .no one stir firom this spot! 
(To Lucia.) Mille. Corsiica, is she here? 

Lucia — (As'ide.) Mile. Corsica! 

'C<i'm. — Ainswer my question! Is MCile. 
CoTistica here?! 

'Lucia— (Hesritates— then firmly.) No! 

Com. — Be careful that you speak the 
ffcru'th. Has sibe been here? 



46 



Luicia^ — ^Sibe eonneis here frequenitly. 

Com.— ^Wia^s sdiie iheire last migtiit? 

DucLa — I wais asLeep ilaisit iniiigOiit. 

'Paietffo— (AiSi'de.) Slhe'is iliiere. Fo'Ouiii&li 
oMM', isihie sihioiu'ld not haye iStopiD^ed so 
mear. 

'Com.-^Einoug'li. Thiiis wiomiain is lying. 
(To loffieers.) Two of you &eajreih the 
ihoiisie; .let the 'Otheirisi neuiiaiin here. 

Sera.-^I'lil go! I'm famaliiiar with the 
Ihouise. 

Com. — ^^T'oio fiamiiliiiair, I'm afnaid. Re- 
miaiin where yoiii are. (To officers.) Enter 
la^nd seairoh. 

[Officers lare ahioiit to einter the fhoiise, 
iwhein Liucia siteps in front of the dooT 
and bairs the way.] 

Lucia^Sltoip ! Thi .s is F'ra Paoilo's 
hiouise, a;nid mo lone enters wiithoiut hiis per- 
•m'iiSisionJ 

Com. — Einiter, you fools! Aire you 
afraiid of a iwomain? 

[Officers a're aibout tO' throw Diioia 
aside, when Lucien e.ntexs quickly.] 

Lncien — ^St'Op! Tlhiis hais @onie far 
enoiugh ! 

Oom.^Officer's, do your duty! 

[Officens enteir house in spite of Lucia. j 

Uuiciein — ^Enouglh! I command you to 
proceed' inio f a.rtheT in this direction ! 



47 

C'om.— I reigret, S'ignor, tliiat I cam not 
■o'bey yiour cominia.rnds. 

Liuiciia — (A'Sddie to Sea^a.) Yiour da'unben 
'talk is tbe cause of tiMs! 

Lftieien^ — Man ! ili'S'ten to me : G'enenaid De 
Bray w'as my father! MKie. Ciorsica is 
my laffiaineed 'wife! To isuspeet iher of 
isiioh a crime iis ihioririble ! The tboiiglit 
wouiM be ,rldiicn,l;oii.s, were it noit so terri- 
ble! Man look at me, iand beijieve that 1 
lam s'ineere! Hearit-bro'kein aiud cruslhed 
■with gi'ief as I am, I have left the body 
oif my murdered father, to com^e here to 
protest lagaainist thi'S outrage! 
[Eimter Paolo from ohiiirdh.] 

Paoilo — '(On. 'Steps.) Wtoat is the mean- 
ing of this? 

Sera — ^Fira Paolo, I 

iCiom.— ^S'iijenee! I have a wiairra:nt for 
the anresit of Eilise Giaffeim, commonly 
knowi] a'S Mile. iCorisiica, whom I betldeve 
to be ooinoealed within your house, 

PaoLO — A warrant foir Iter arrest? Rl- 
diaulous!' 

•Com, — ^^That remains to be s'eeiU'! 

Ltuoien — BeMeve me, Fra Paolo, I [had 
nothing to do with this!i 

[Rie-enter officers froim house.] 

(First Officer— (We've searched the 
house. She is not 'there, 

Oom.— TOien iseairch the ohujrcih! 



48 

[Oflficeris are albornt Ito d'O sio.] 

Piaol'o — (On ^teps of ehupcih.) Stop! 
¥"011 Jiave no rigM to ■enter here. Your 
warrant rief ens only to my ihoiisie. 

'Com. — My autlijoriity is uiniliiimiteid. 

Paouo— T;bis place is beyoind' your au- 
thori'ty, or fhat of your maisiter. It is 
tlie Tionse of Ood, whose reppeseinitaltive I 
a.lone am lierie ! 

Com. — (To officers.) Eintter amd fiieaircih! 

Piaalo — ^I foirbid yon ! This place is coin- 
secra ted ! 

■Com.— ^Eil'Lse ^CjHaffeni is tihere — sihe is 
my prisoner! 

Paolo — Wihoever lis there, is in. the 
keeping of Grod! 

Com. — In the name of tihe King, I 
comimiand you to istand atsiiide! 

[Officers advance.] 

Paolo — In the name of God, I biid' you 
stop! (Officers fajl back.) 

[Officers, aft a siign from Com., are 
about to drag Paolo from the steps, when 
the door of 'the ehurch opens and Corsi- 
ca enters. [ 

Oorsiica — Yon want Elise Gafferi? (Ad- 
vances.) I am she! 

Com.— Then in 'the name of the King, I 
arrest you for murder! 

Coirsica— 'Murder ? 



49 



Paolo — Wihosie maird'eT? Wtot do you 



mea-n 



iCoim.— 'Geueimil Heniri Die Bray, w'li'om 
she murdiered in Tier ,gar'den Jaist nig^iit.- 

'C'orsioa — Grenenail De Bray murdiered ? 

Aind I My Giod! Tihiat wUch I fled 

to escape is (^hangied inpom me! (Paxils 
into Lueiia's arms.) 

Paolo — ^De Bray mim-dered,'aind you — 
(To Com.) Yo'ur iMiooife? 

'Com. — ^TIMs letter wihiidh isibe left be 
ihLmd her aiud thie tesltiimony of that mia>n 
(Iinidiieating Seirafino.) 

Luoreu' — Ooir.siiea, imy ilove! Lioo'k up 
I . 

'CofrsAoa— (Turning from 'him.) Yours 
no longer until I cam prove my inno- 
cence. Officer, I a^m readiy. Fna PaoJo, 
your Kjesisong. (Paolo, wlho m in deep 
th'oiugh't, do'eis not liear iiier, a.nd appeia.rs 
to iheisitate.) Fra Paodo, you sm-ely do 
not beLieve m-e guilty ? 

PaoLO — ^(Tlalving Iher toainds 'aind looking 
into ihier eyes.) In tho:se pure eyes, tlheire 
lis no sign of guilt! I beDieve you, aind I 
trust you! Before Hetaveoi, I swear tliat 
you are innoceint, 'aind I coinsecirate my 
(life to miakiing yours so shine before all 
men! 

(Curtain.) 



60 

ACT III. 

'Scen^e — Asaoitihier viiew oi the ohurcih, with 

graveyiaird .aidjoiiiiing. Ludi'a aind Lu- 

^dien ia;re diisoovexie'd litn con vers a'tioiii. 

■Litti'je MiariLa is pilayaiig tainotug tih-e 

•tcm'bs'tionies., 

Lucia — Alh, iSiig. iLudien, it almioe.t 
ibreaks my Ikeaa-it to 'Siee (tihe isuffieriimgis of 
poiar iFna 'Paiol'O. Since tTiat dreaidful day, 
'.vviben lUbe misitresis Wia;s lair'resited, he lli'a.s 
dived las tbougili 'lie weire in a diream. He 
i&ees ;n'Oitih;i'ng,— the Ibeams inoithinig,— iLs obliv- 
diouis to everytlliing, except iheir sad coindi- 
tian. H'e toais but oine tihiO'Ugibt, but ooie 
lamblition — ^to prove Iheir innioceinoe. Hi'S 
Qiieart and isiouil aire ever witb the poor 
mi'Stress in Iher cell — 'Ms body a.ioinie is 
Ihere, aind tlliat growis weiatecr a;nd weaker 
levery day. 

liuoien— iPoor mam, Ms isufferings are 
'as greait las miiin'e. 

[Enter Pietiro, Ibe iremiaa,ns im back- 
gironnd 'lisitenimg.] 

Lucia — H'e soarceily eats; ®o!metiime:s 
'wihoje days go 'by witibaut a imiorsel pasiS- 
ing Ihis ilips, amid tOiien I !h'ave to foiree it 
on ibi'm, begging Ihiim 'to- _ keep up Ms 
istrengtlh for 'ber isake. 

Lucien — And ibas ilie u^o a'omger any 
ibope? 

Lucia — I itbink mot, mow; itibouglh be 



51 

isca.roe'Iy ,speaks of it ait laul. He spends lids 
dayis, 'wih'en Ibe lis in-oit wiith iber, in the 
•ebiiirdi, praj^iug for ih'er deliveranee. At 
DJg'hit, las ;he lies iin ilm.s bed, I liear him 
rn'O-ainiing for ihours; ait a itiime; t!he'n lie 
ig'ets up aind iretmrns tO' .tbe dhuTctb, wihere 
I find fliim in 'fbe mo'r,niiinig, bialf d^ead with 
exihaustioin, iknieeiMin.g ait the al'tar. 

Ludi'en — Ah, lAvc'ml Lncia! ihaw tem- 
fblie iit ailij is! ,My Grod! how cam (tliey 
dou'bt iber intnoeenoe? How can ttihey wlho 
ihave knawm lh.er ainid have 'tasted of ber 
;swieet 'dhiairiity, — Ihow cam tlhiey betliiere tlhat 
my piiire amd gentle OoT&ioa com Id baiTe 
sitootped to do a: deed so treacberoms and 
vije? 

Pietro^ — (Stepprinig forwaTd) Viiije? Had 
slie done so .sibe womM tbave done ber 
duity ! 

Lmoiem — (Reooii'l'iiug) Dmty ? 

Pietro — Aye, duty; it wais her duty to 
•avenge ber fatibeir's de'aitlh, 

•Luciem — Her father fell in am homor- 
abLe due^, 'wihilie mimie^God belp me!— 
waiS' ba.SieCy la'SSiasisinated. 

Pierto — It wa's retributiom! "A life for 
a ili'fe" i's t^e 'jaw. 

[Mafpia exits m church.] 

Lucien — Tibe law ? Aye, tihe ua w of bar- 
ibariams amd aissasisiims ! If this be yomr 



52 



'boasted C'Dirsiicain Ih'Oinioir, rtibein. I tlh'aiuk 
/hea veai I lajm :n.oit a iC'Oirisiiioam ! 

iPietTO' — 'Y'Oii id aire 'Say this ifco me! 

[Siteps back 'amid dnaw.s Ihiis knife; Lu- 
cieiu faces Ihirm, "Liiiieiia liiS' aboint ito step be- 
twieen tJbiem, iwlbeiii 'PaiiJo 'emteirs amd ad- 
viances to C] 

Fau'l'O^Miay tfhe peace of GrOid be with 
yoiu — laiii'd iwittlh UiS atlil, 

[Tlh-ey ailij bow tb'eiir iheiadiS. Plietro coin- 
•eealLs bi® kaiife, aind isi!iow;ly exiits, Cookiiin.g 
'baick ithireaiteiniuigily lat I/iiciien.] 

il/ucien — ^Aimeii! ] Exits after Pietro.[ ' 

iPia.ou'01 — 'Hoiw lis it witih yon, my S'O'n? I 
ithoug*ht you wiou'ld be wlitlh > 

'Luci'en — ^I am igoiiug to IheT mow. For 
the last time before ''tihe triiad, I am per- 
imiitted to see Iher. 

Paolo — Amd you bave founds 

■Luciein — NotJhlimg! Tihe iwibolie 'world is 
ag'aiimSit her! iNot ome 'believes (her iumio- 
■eemt. AjII the piaist — bieir go'oidnesis, (her 
'Cihiai"iity — \ai'A is foirgottein liin .tlheiir insaitiate 
thiirst for ^blooid. "N^lhen I thLnk that to- 
iuorrow,^amd oih, ihow neiar tlhat dread' 
to-mororw iis — imy limnocemt -Oorsiica wijl 
be dragged to trial 'foir a erime of w(hicii 
she is las liminocent a® I am, wihein I think 
ot the friglhitful ehaiim' of ciircumstamces 
wbiidh !iis isuowily amid 'SureiLy criuislbimg her 
in its coiiji'si— la-md kmiow that I aim power- 



les to lielp 3ier, I fee'l as tjhougfh I 
would go miad. Oain miothimg be dome to 
av^efrt 'thiis dread fill wrong? 

Paolo — ETeryitMng has been doiae tihat 
brain or ihands or tieairts oould do to prove 
ber lininocence. 

Lu'cien — Tihen you believe ouir cause is 
!hop«iless? 

Piao'lo — ^Xo; mot liiOipeless. 

Luci'en— iXot toopeks'S ? 

(Paolo^— X'O— it is in the 'bauds of God. 
tbuit God bad now deserted us! 

Lucien— (Bitterily) It la'lmost seems, 

Paol'o — iPeace! God is eveir with the 
isufferiiing' 'and oppressed, ever ready, ever 
wi'Lliinig, to aid and oomfort tboise wbo 
co-me ro (biim iLn sorrow a,nd in pain. 

L/uciiein — T'bein you bedaeve ? 

PaoOo — I now. Tlhere iis above us a 
God Off 'love and mercy, — of trutih aind jais- 
tiee. And O'u this God, I buiild my earth- 
uy laiuid etern.au bopes! .Go .to Jber, 'my soai, 
a.nd may the peaee of God go with you. 
Courage, my ®oin', eouirage. Trutih is 
mighty laaid wi-ld pi-evaivl. Wlh'T.e ihe'iveu 
endures no rigihteous cause is hopeless. 

JiLuoien wirings Paolo's band' in si- 
Jence, and ex'its biirriedly. Paolo bCesses 
Ihiim, then paaisd/ng, uifts Ihis ba.ndis. to 
heaven in pi-ayer, thein breakis down witii 
a sob, and staggers into tbe dhurdh; A 



54 

Sulglhit pauise. Fii'oirdelfeisa eniters, looks 
■R. & L., (Starts to go in -obiireTi, .biut iiesi- 
tates mresolute, — ifhieim imakmg up [heir 
imiinid wlliiat icoiirse 'to pursiie, firmly en- 
ters thie dhuxicih. — Einiter Dudiien foiUowed 
by Serafiao.] 

Ducia— (Callding a'S she 'enters) Maria! 
.Maria! wlbeire on eaxtlh is 'tflie dhiu'd? I 
isiire'ly left iher Qiiere. Maria!! — ^(to Seira.) 
How dia;re you fouloiw mie! Diid I aioit bid 
you ilieave me im peace? Balh! you drunk- 
en beast! (Oa'Jliing) Mairia! Miaxia! 

Sera. — iRat' Lucia, my sweet cliiarm- 
mg, lif yoTi 'Willi O'nil^r' 'be patiieint 

Liucia — i(;noit paying any attentioin to 
fliim.) iNow you ca;n' see wlhat your wine 
driinkiing Ihias broiugihit us toi. Yoai are tihe 
cause of all thlis troaible! Baih! I hate 
tihe isiglhit oif you! (Cauls) Maria! 

Sera— iBy Iheavein! Luciia, I sweair! 

Lucia — Be quiet! Don't you dare 
to ;sweair ait ^me! Save your oatihis for the 
'tirdial, aiud iswear away itTie Oife of tihe 

toest womiain wihio ever iived Well? 

Wlhy dom'it you 'speak? Are yoiu d'um'b? 

■Sera.— (TV%o iha.s 'beein tiiTiing in vaiin to 
tailk.) Buit Lucia. ■ 

Lucia— Dom't istand tlhere airguing, wit-h 
•me! Wlhy 'doin'it you isuggest somtetlhiing? 
Wlhy dio:n't you 'do^ isomettliiiing? (CaiU's) 
Miaria ! 



55 



Sera — ^If you will but ''isten ' 

Luciia— Why d'on't you g'o aoi'd fi;nd Hhe 
real murtderer .a.iid laequd-t tihe miistiT'eiSS ? 
You 'kuow siTie lis iimuoceinit— and yett your 
fooili'sih druiiikG'u taue of her and Pietro 
/Tiias d^irue rn'ore tbaoi anytlMing else to 
fbrow suiSipiioiou 'om heir. (Cauls) Maria! 

iSeira— I toild itilie .truth ■ 

Liueia— ^Be quiet! Sip'eiak wflbtem you ■are 
■spokein to. You told tihe truth, did you? 
So muclh 'tihe wonse. Did I teil the truth 
w;he/u the officers oanie nosing aft'er her? 
It's a poor servaait that can't uie for (his 
imjLstresis ! 

Sera— 'Would you h'ave nie put perjury 
on my souL? 

Lucdia — Your soul! A pretty soul you've 
got! Savie your miLstiresis first, a'ud get for- 
giveinesis aftiei^wa-rd's. 'Tlhat'.s the duty of 
•a iservaoi't. Your isoiil, iindeed! So you 
tihiink you've got la soaiu? — iWeil? weiH?— 
Have you iloist yO'Uo* tongue? Great heav- 
ens! lis tihe !ma;n aai iddot? Cam you say 
'nothiiug to defend yourself? Cau't you 
taCk? 

Sera — But iLucia. you doiu't give me 
any chain ce to tailk 

Lucia^ — Fiaither 'in hieaveu, illiistein to the 
main! I do>n't give you a Chianee to talk? 
Haven-'t I been trying for tlhiiis (hour pa.st 
to get ta word out of you, ajid haven't 



56 

you 'O'bsitiLn'ateily reMsied ito .amswer a isin- 
glie quesitiotn I ibave masked? .Beg omie! laind 
don'it Jet me see your ugdy face' again, 
imitiil fhie mii«itxe'Sis lis laoquitted of (tikis 
criimie. .Siiliencie, mo't a wioird !— ID'oni' t diare 
to ispeiak to me laga'ajn, lUjmtiil you oaiu bring 
proof o'f iher liiii;noieence. 

'Sera — Liuidia, if yom fwiiiM but ihiear m,e 

'Lucia^ — Bah! S'ucih .a itJhiinig as you to 
weair i>a,nitaLOoinis laind' oaiK yourself a mta.n! 
Hiain'giuig about gosisiipimg, wbdue your mds- 
ifcres'S 'liies ia prLsiOn. Dir'inking' whi^e mur- 
der iis coimimiitted ! 'Sljeeping wtiiive tihe 
•m'Uiitdea'er escapes! Amid yoii aire wlhat 
itibey cadil a mam? \By (heavem! df I were 
a maiu! iBaih! If I couvdn't be a better 
man than you, I'd rath ex be a worn an all 
my iMfe! Bah! (Exit amgir'ily, ca'Jliing 
Mairia!) 

'Sera — liueia, lif you wiiijl oinJy li'Sten to 
■me, etc., et-e. 
[Exit, foJloWing Liucia.]' 
[Paolia stagger si out from the' dhoirch 
with his hand presised bo his heart,breatih- 
img heaTily, lamd' 'mu«h distresised ; he is 
foiEowed by Fiordelesisia. Paol'o sinks on 
bein'dh aind gradiuailily reoo'vers.] 

iPiao'lia— Aiiir! aiir! I mnst have aiir! I 
am dhokiing! idhokingJ 

Fioir — Hear :mie out — l have mot told 
you lailil. 



57 



PaoM — ^^Gno (m\—.go <ml Heaviein' giv^e 
m.ie •streng'th 'tO' 'hie air you to- the end! 

F'iar — Thirty yeatrs a^go I was as pure 
amd ininoicen't as lainy duLId, with oiever a 
tthougiht of evl'l :iii my heart • 

Piaola — 'Go oin, I lam 'ji'Stenling. 

Fdor — 'Twas ftihem' I met tMis 'mtaai, who 
proved my ruin; Oih, how I Joved aiud 
trusted him — Ah w^ii, ilet that paisis. It 
'wa's the old sto'ry — ithe ilove of womain and 
tlie trea.dhery of 'mia;n! 1 loved' — I iiistenr 
ed, amd I — (BoiWiSi heir head aind sohs.)' 

Piaolo— 'Gro on; teil me aul. 

Fior — Hie took me to Paris, and 'twas 
itherie my ahiild was boirn. Oh, how dearly 
I loved my iiittle child. (iSofhs.) 

iPaoliO — ^Go oin I 

iFlior — For two short yeairs laill wais hiap- 
piness; he was good a:nd kind, amd seemed 
aOmoist to worshiip oiir :liittje boy. There 
iwiats but ome ol'oud mpoin my iH-fe-^ had no 
marriage 'ring, 'thomgih he promised me 
that .as- soom as he could safely do so he 
would make me h-iis wife lim the eyes of 
man, as I laJready was in the sig'ht of 
God. Ajnd so two yeairs passed away. 
Then he grew restless, and I feared he 
mo ilomger ioved ^me, thomgih his love foir 
o'ur child seemed to- gro'W more imiteinse 
every day. I tried— ^Oh, hO'W hard I tri- 
ed — to keep hiisi Jove. Imi spite of my de- 



'5S 



"Vioitio'n ihe grew miOT'e a'liid mo re mddffexeint. 
At 'Laist, .one day, laf ter bedimg out on iscme 
'tnifl7iing eirrar, on wihtidh. Ibe 'Jiiad sent me, 
I retninned to my onoe iiiaippy ih'O'me aind 
foaind ihdm gone, aind God iliedp me! He 
ihiaid takein my clliiilid iai\\''ay! (Bre'aks 
•do win.) 

Paolo— ^G-o o;n! Go om! 

Fioi' — Olh, 'wlhat mlisery wais mine. How 
my heart ihungered for my cOni'ld! For 
years amd yeair's: I seiarcilied, and iSeairdhed, 
but f ouind no trace of tlie^m ! How could I 
find 'liiim ! I diid inoit even know ibis .mame. 
From place to iplaioe I tramped, alway'S 
iseek'iu'g, seiardMing for my boy. Yiears 
paiSised ooi a^nd stiE ,no sign oif father or of 
idh'Lkl, uaiti'^ tlbat fatail 'niigtht 'at ,]Mlle. Cor- 
siioa'<S', wiliere for the first timie in 'tlh.irty 
years I saiw tihe '.autHioir of my sihame! 

Paolo— iGo oin! iGo on! O'h, God, give 
me strengtih to hiear her out ! 

Fior-^I 'did U'ot iloise isiight of Ihim, amd 
arming myself wiiitih a kmiife, whicih I 
found on tdie table, to use for my proitec- 
tion, in casie of need, I wadted until Mile. 
and afJl the honselliold weire in itiheir rooms. 
I watched my 'dhanee, amd wihen, as was 
his .oustom, ;he strolled dn the garden be- 
fore netiining, I met ihdm faice to face! 
• PaoJo— Woll ? 

FioiT^-At iliaist we miet! I begged him to 



69 



teA me wih-at Que (had d'oine wiitih my cfh'iM. 
He refused, sayiinig, Ihe was alive and 
weiji, Ihut fliat hi'S son sihou'ld never be 
diiS'g^meed hj me. I 'tben deniainded .tlh'at 
he sh'Oiiud rtig-ht tihe wrang Ihe luad dooie 
•me, iSo itihat my ohiikl 'woiiud not be laisiham- 
ed to oa'll ime mo'tih'er. Fra Paolo, he 
Jaiiglhed lait me. Taimted me with my 
slhaime— (the sJhiam.e for 'w%i.dh ihe aLcne 
'was responsibje. Iin'sa^ne wdth gmief and 
■an-gier, I drew the kmiife from beiueaith 
,my clio-ak, spramg upoin Ihirn, ia:nd > 

P'aol.o--(In la 'wlhisper) kil'led Mm ? 

Flior— 'Yes — I — bLjIied^— Ihim ! Even witili 
Ihiis dyiing breath, Ihe mocked me st'iiM, say- 
ing: "Foo"-, yo'U !have :lovS.t your only 
•dhiance of thappiiness, for yo'iir son, Lu- 
<ifen De .Bnay, is now .in yonder house, 
.the lover of the isimger Corsd^ca ; but never 
can you 'tell ibi-m wlho or wlhat you are!" 
Jus-t ithen I thought I Iheaiixl the so'und of 
footsitep'S. Terrified ait wihat I toad done, 
I ithfl^ew tihe telil-ta'le knife 'inlo .the basin 
of the fo'untadm nearby and fled, ileaving 
Henri IDe Bray diead upon the grass! 

iPaoLO — ^(Hysteirieailly fiailling upon ihds 
knees) AtCaist! T'hank Grod! Tihank God! 
The innoeenL slhall be free! 0;h, heaven! 
I 'thank ifhee for thiis^ ^boon! (Sobs — tlhen 
gaiindmig eonitroi of ihim'seilf, rises.) O.h, 
WH)man youj ^have indeed committed a 



most ,^piev.oiLs isin, but hj fnil oo:nfesisdon 
afiiid siiinoere repeintiadi'Ce yon miay redeem 
yiQUir soiiil. Gcd is me'riciifnil -amid wiJd for- 
gliv'e! C'0'm.e, ilet us .go aind aiiiiido this feaf- 
fuii wro'ii'g^! Ciome! 

Fior— Go! Go ^^ibeire? 

iPiaoJo— 'To itihe jud-g-e! Ym\ 'slhiaM tell 
(hdim wih:at yo'U Ihave tioM mi'e, and Corsica 
wiitlll be 'free! Oomiel 

Ftiior — I ooinifeiss tO' the ilaw? No^ — ai'o — I 
ooinifeisig to yoii, a prieeit, — ^but to itihe liaiw — 
aio ! 

Piaoilo — Tibeu, I myse'lf wiuil te'U it for 
you. 

iFiior— Stop ! Yoai da.re aiot! 

iBa'olo — Dia're not ? 

iFiiOT— .(InteiiiS'ejy) Wihat I Ihiave 'saiid to 
yoiu was umdeir the Siaicited seal of tihe .oo.a- 
feSfSiiQin. You 'dare not breialc tih'at seail! 

P;aoil'0^-i(Suddeinily reailiizin^ ti.is posli- 
tion.) AJh! Iheaveu /hielp me^! .Sih;e speak« 
the trnitih! Oih, God! Am I, then, stiiU 
power jesis to avert t'h'is' wrong'? Must I 
tstainid iSpeedluIeiS'S lamd isee the li'mnooeint piay 
■tihie penality ot amother'is 'crime? (To^ Fi- 
ordelessa.) But you— you can anid must 
speak. Tihimk wlhiat you are 'about to do. 
Telil the trutih aind isiave t'hiis most unlhiap- 
py g'irl! 

Fiior — Amid lO'Se myself? No! 

Pao'lo'-^Womiaiu ! Wlilil you ilet *tlhis in- 



61 



inooent cMlld (Smffer in jour ^tesud, when 
■one 'word froim yiom cam save ih.er? 

iFi'O'r — I ,silioiikl diiisHioruo'r amd d'isgrace 
'injisieOf in the 'eyes of mj S'om. No — I wil'l 
:iiot speafk! 

iFaol'O — ^Tih'en, if it is oniMis- accoiru't you 
ihiestitaite, tihiink, olh, itiliiin:k! wihat wilil be 
Ms oniseiT and distress sihoiulld Coir.sica be 
il'OiSit 'to ihiim ■foreveir! :Riem.e'mbeir isitie is Ms 
promii.sied wife! 

Fior — I aim !bis imoitDbLeT!' 

PaiOlo— 'You eain inieyer be known a.s 
isudh. 

F'ioT — t"V\nhiije 'tbeire is life, tbere'is li'ope! 

Bao'lo — ^(In agoiny.) Woman, in tttbe 
iname o-f ibeavien, lif yoai d'id ino't dnite'nd to 
pub! icily coinfesis your crime and ri'gibit tibis 
crueil 'wroiDg,— wlby,— fwiby, 'did yoai tel'l tbe 
awfiiil 'tibimg to mie? 

iFi'or.— iBecau'se 'tlbe irecoLl'ection of it 
was eoinsiuming mie! It wais driviing me 
Mad! I was oompe'l'led to speak to save 
my reason. I feLt .fbat I must tell fi'ome 
one. W'i'tlb you I knew my iS'ecreit would 
be safe. , I toM tit 'to you because I co'UJd 
no lo'ngier keep it to myself. 

Paolo — ^Olb, wretcbed woman! Wibaft 
ihave you doine? Wibat ibave you done? 
(Takes sitaige and returns.) And do you 
■tlbink tbiait Grod 'Will let me keep your guil- 
ty secret ? D'O yoiu baHeve itbait God wiM 



62 



suffer me fto sit>ainid lidily by, aind let amiother 
•orime be id'Oine? 

Fioir— lY'Oii 'oan mot Iheilp yeursejf . Not 
lorne ward of iwihiait I Ihave' toM to yoai, 
idaaie yooi reveaJ, — mot evem 'by liint or 
(siigm! 

PiaiOL'O^ — iWretcfh! Hiave you mo mercy? 
Tihimt — ^oih ifhimk, of itihat poor 'dhald ly- 
ing m :a dia'rk lamcl iloiaffosoime i>risom cell, 
(Smfferimig laill the toirtuires of imijuired dinmo- 
<?enee,— iseparate'd fromi Ihome' and 
fr^ienidis, — llost ito eve'ry thing- fsihe IhoMs 
mo,s)t deair iiin ilife,— IheJp'jesis .amd auome, 
waitimig to be icomdemmeid for la cri'me of 
wihieh you aJome are guilty! I;s yomr heart 
turmetd 'to stome, tlbat you -cam thim'k om 
t^is lamid stirW irefus.e to 'speak? Foir the 
isweet .dhiarity isihe bestowed om, yom, wiilJ 
yiou rieturn tlhis' (treaidheiry ? 

Fiior. — I earn miot speiak. 

P.aouo — Olh, mother of Jeis'us! I be- 
iseech' tlhee, me't thiLs tubboirm heart, amd 
give !her true irepentamee, that «lhe may 
icomfess iher e:rLme before the worud! 
(Kmeeils to' FdoT.) Look, I, a, mimiiister of 
'God, a'm kneelimg lat yo^ur feet, beggimg 
amid pleadimg am ihiis maime, for mercy for 
am. immocent womam! (Sihe ituirmis from 
Ihiim, Ihe opiises.) Ajh, wretdhed creature! 
How cam yom Ihoipe for mesr-oy in the gr^eat 



(hereafter, if j<m refuse to show mercy 

CQOW ? 

iFior. — Heaven wiiM be mercifuL I did 
can'fess, I do repemit any siiin. la.nd ask for- 
giirene&s. 

Paolo— 'Forgi vein ess ? For yo'ii? Wlhile 
the execiitrloneir i& tliirsting- for the blood 
of that poor g'irl? Rather may you expect 
the laiwful a,ud unjdyiing curse of iheaven 
and its ho-y cihurdh! 

Fior. — (FiaOling on (her bnees to (him.) 
No! mo! Fra Paouo, liear me! (Claispis 
ihi'S ;hand.) 

Paolo — (Tlirowing tier asi'de.) I ihiave 
(hieard enougth! (Moves from iher, she fol- 
'Jowiing on her 'kneeis.) Oil, cruel amd 
iheairtless womain! WiLth o'n/e muirder <m 
your soul and istill amotiher in your 
tho'Ug!hts, you dare to ask of Grod forgive- 
ness! It i® bjaisplhemy ! 

Fiior — No, no! not murder! Think (how 
lie wronged me! 'TwaiS jiis'tiee! God is 
good! God will be merciful! 

Paojo — Tihen islhow mercy to that poor 
dbil'd! Confess yoiir crime, redeem your 
soul a.nd save her life! 

'Fdor. — Xo, no; I can not. Think of my 
son. Though ihe may never know me as- 
Ihis mother, lie sEhalJ not think me guilty- 
of 'his father's murder! 

Paolo — Foolislh womain! To -thiink you 



64 



'oani lesea-pe itffne jindigm'eiat >o£ the lailmiiglhty 
Ood! So isiireuy lae. Ibe 'I'iv.es aimd mulesy 
ISO ts'uirely will! yoair 'crtmie be brouigiht to 
iMgOiit! 
- FlioT— No, 'no ; I'Jl noit bdievie it ! 

■Pia'ol'o — ^Seek mot tO' esoaipe, for y^our 
isiin will) ifimld you out. Justice is ^silow but 
siire, ain/d oomie day fhe penalty of your 
er.imie wil'l fall iipoin yoiua* iheaid'! It miay 
be 'de>iayed' — lit can not be averteid! 

.Fiior. — 'Ko one kmowisi tibe trutb but 
yio'u— yio'U "daire not spetak ! 

iPaoilo — ^You cam Ibiope for inotibiin,g- in ^tfbis 
liif e oir lin tbe Jdf e Ibeireaif ter. Go 'wlbere you 
'Wiilll, sfjeeping or waking, this g'uilty 
kno'WJedgie iwiill destroy ;aiU (peace! Evein 
An your dreaimis', tlbiis poor murder eid .dbild 
'Wiiilil rise bofore yo'U amd cry aloud for 
TOinigeamioe ! Tibemi yoair i wicked defiia.nce 
wiilGl tiurn to ^upplicaitioin. But 'beware, 
iliesit m'ercy be denieid, ais yoai deny meircy 
mow. T!be pilea your liipis ibiave Tittered in 
tibiis conf essiomi but offend the tibrone,- for 
.prayers fro-m am. unrepentemt (heart are 
impious! Tibey wiX mot be Ihieard! Goo' 
Wiilll islbow no mercy to am umimereiful 
soul. Suclh mercy would be mo'ckery— 
isuob God'Slbip would be tyrtammy! Heav- 
en would revolt against it, amd Ih'ell dtself, 
posses® itlhie eairtih ! 



65 



Fior.— ^Miecrcy— TQiercy! I pepemt! I 
w>ai3it forg'iiTenessi! 

'Paolo— ^TibeDi confesis your erinie, ajid 
isave it'liis W'Oiin.a.n''S uife! 

Fioa*. — (Hesitates.) I can iniot! I cain 
in'ot! (Defiainitliy.) I w\Ql mot! Do you 
ihear? I n^ill not! 

Paolo^ — Then ^o! Gro! Qui't my sigM, 
test I forge't my vows aind g.ive you up 
to justioe! 

Fiior. — Hear mie, I 'Wijill^ ' 

P<aoIo — Go! I coim/maind you! Go and 
tempt me mo further! Tihe face of that 
sw^eet clhdLid isufferioig for yooir crime rdses 
up befon-e me now a,nd oa'Is on me for 
justice! Oo! Your 'sigihit i® ih^atefuil to 
me! iGo! (Paolo ascends steps of cTiiKrch 
a.nd is about .to exii't. Pior. foililows ihim.) 

Fior — Fra PiaoLo • 

Paoilo— iBack! Tihe doors of tihe clLurcli, 
iike itihie gates of heaven, wlU be ihence- 
fortih closed to you forever! 
(Curtain.) 

[End of first picture.] 



[Ajct III.— iSecoaid Picture.] 

S.den)e— iTihe interior loif dhiiiridh isfho'Wing 

aitaT, etc. Tihe dhainicel is 'r.a.iisieid: aibout 

ioiur isteps. Tirain-spairie'ri't drop, beihiimd 

laind' .abo'vie lail'tair (O.) t'O isQiO'w visiiom. 

■Ves,pers laiPe juist over, people .aire seen 

ilieaivinig' 'tihe dhurcb a® (tibe eiirtain irii'se»s, 

aind tIhe org^ain is «tiHl pLiayi.n,g. Wlhen 

a'lij the people ihaive left ithe stagie, and 

as tlbe laist no'tes of the' oir^an die 

away; emter Paolo fnoim itihe isacristy. 

Pia.oriio — Allome, iat ;kist! Afloine wdtih Ood, 

amd witli imy 'thoiu.glhts, tea-rible tho-Uigih 

■t'hey aire! How miicti more Quorrible iis 

miiy isiiitiia'tiio'n ,noiw, .than lit was am Ihoair 

ago? Then I hnt believed; .Noiw I kino'W 

itihie itiru'th; Ihave fouinid itlhe iguillity one foir 

wlhoim I isoaigiht,— and yet I can no't speak 

tihe woirds tlhait woiuM pirevenit thiisi siacri- 

fioe! 'Ah, !how ijong tlhat ihiomr ha^s been 

isince first I 'heaird' ithe awfu'l truth, and 

'haw isihort the time ibefore itlhat terribue 

and' dark to-morrow. To-morrow? — Ah, 

■\vlho can tell 'wlh^at thait great unknown to- 

■monrow, ;may bring forth? (Wrings his 

hands and paioeis back anid forth.) Oh, 

Ood! Wlhat shialil I do? What can 1 

do? (Panse.) In the bondage of a vow 

and powerile'ss to act. .Forbidden 'by 'the 

uaiWiS of omr most 'hoily 'ohaixch even to 

th'imk upon tihe gnilty knowledge, much 



67 

t!!e,ss to speak of it, wTnat caiii I do? I try- 
to drive out tOiie tihoiigQit, wthacli of itsieli 
is wicked, but it eom-es surg-ing- .aiad roll- 
antg back upon my mi'nd, uiiitLl braiin aad 
Iheart aiike are drowined in girief ! I sbut 
my -eyes, but la's I -look inward I find the 
truth bra.nded lUpoo miy very sovi. To 
see the mea.nest creature sacrificed, aind 
to ihave tihe power, but not the jiberty, to 
save, wouild 'be a girief umspeiakable! But 
to ihave this d'ear dhiild, whom I Ihave 
grown to LOve a«' though isihe were my 
own, go down to death aind disgrace, 
'while I, by merely reaohjing forth a haaid, 
couLd iifit Iher back to life and iionor — 
oih! it is Ihiorrible! Horirible! It is un- 
tlbinkaibile ! It can not, must not, shaul 
mot be! But ihow — Ihow — ^how cam it be 
Ijre vented? Can I do inotMng? (Devsper- 
atelly, before a statue of the Yirg-jn.) Ob, 
another of com'passion, ilook down upon 
me 'now anid ihear my prayer! Let this 
cup pass from my Lips, noit for my sake, — 
I oou'Jd endure it all— 'but for .the sake of 
Ihonor and of eitemal truth! Let mot my 
sil'eiu'ce 'be the mieams of sacrificing this 
innocent life! Show me! iSiho'W me, wfhat 
to do! (Hopelessly.) AOi, if prayers could 
avail me mow, the gates of 'beavem wo^uld 
fly open, and let out a host of succoring 
angels; for so I have poured O'Ut my soul 



68 



^in iSTippii'Caitii'Qiii tfcait >mj (heairt is woruing 
djry lO'f tiitst ^tea-rs land 'tihe wel'l ispningis Oif 
h'ope axe drained .to 'the 'di'egs oif despair ! 
(A pause, during 'w'hiclb One seems to be 
iwa*apped in thoiTgllit.) My m.iind is in a 
ftiirmoiu-; my fheaid :is biins'ting iwiitih its 
aigony of thomgihit. Dare I speak the 
tricth? Wlhiait 'truitlh ? The ireveki'tiom wais 
made 'to me as a pilieisit, as a repireseimta- 

i.tive of GiO'd. Ais a man I know notlh'ing! 

■lOain tell inotliiinig! O'h, fatiher in Iheaven, 
ilift the clondis tlia-t ido eneompass- me! 
Telil me — tslhoiw me wihiat i.o do! Must 1 
Ithen be isi!le.nt aind ijet tTiiiS crime be dome? 
Must I Ibecoime a. pairity ito 'Siucih ain out- 
rage oin truth aind virtue? No! I'll not 
ibe'Jieve it! I ',11 not beilieve lit! There must 
be ISO me 'wiay — but ihow? Not 'by word or 
sign dare I rereaC tlhi^s iwiretdhed oreature's 
isecret. I can n^ot 'Spieak; 'sbe will noti 
To-morroiw wirjll «ooa be Ihere^-Ha^uid 

t'ben ? I 'diaire mot think of it! Oil 

mother of Jeisus! thou foint of mierey aiud 
of tendernesiS, ladd your prayers to m'ine, 
ithat this istubboim IheaTt 'may be meuted 
in itrue irepemtaniCe, ithait isihe may confess 
iher crime before t'he 'worlid! 

[Sinks upon hiis 'knee« on the' chaucel 
steps, 'burst's into a paiS'Sioin of tears, and 
'fafflis, lying upon 'the stepiS. The baek 

• wal'l of the dhurdh, above tihe Qiltar, grad- 



Ti'aJlly grows ttirianspaxen't, shoiwling ti}ji« 
place 'of executknn, <i^e scaffoild, the guL!- 
Jotine, t'he executioneir, tlie guards, etc. 
Eater officers witili Corsica., at'teinded hj 
a priest (Paolo). Corsiica knee'ls upon 
the scaffoild, offers up a sdlenit prayer; 
rises, tiliie iex.ecut.io.ner 'binds her haiuds, 
etc., and is aiboiit to lead her tO' the guil- 
uotine, when Paolo jumps to his feet with 
a .scream. The vistio;n passes aiw.ay.] 

'Paotlo^ — ^S'top! I eomimaind you! Srtop 
'the isilaughiteir of this umhappy child. I 
wi)-'u speiak! I will tell the truth! I can 
beep isiile-nt mo Congetr! She is ininoceint, I 
.teijl you! lunoicent! Liistein! Oh, GrodI 
iisten to me — ishe did ,cot muirder that oild 

an>an! She is • Ah, — 'tis -goine! Oone! 

'Twa.s a dream! A dream! fThanik God! 
Thiank God! ThamJj God! 
(Siiuks oiu steps, sobbing hysiteri'cailly.) 
[The test of this scene imay he altered 
to suit the individual busline ss of the 
laetor playiing the par't.]' 

(Curtain.) 



70 



AOT IV. 

iiuteri'Oir of coiurt rioorn lat Piia'oeiiiz.a. Pa- 
, olo is iiio'wiu stag'G witOi a 'iawyer. Pie- 
=tro i'S' up iStage. iLuoiia amd Serafimo ai-e 
ini aniimated coinvensaitioiL. Piordejes^ 
isa s'its ailoine, iwiraipped m tboiigTit. 
GLiawyer,s>, officeirs of the eoua-t, 
©iDardiS, so'ldieiTS', amd Cooikers on, are 
stiainid'iin'g- in groupS' about iS'tage. The 
dhiiild MarLa is cJiingding to Luoia's 
skirts. 

La'Nvyer — It iLs iisieLeisis, Pra. PaoJo, I 
(have 'dome every thing that 'ooniild he done. 
No istone Oia,s been' ieft un'tnirned. The 
.ease ■bais gone to- t'he JTiry> aind I expert 
them every monnent to retuxm with tlheir 
verdict. 

Paolo^Ajnd you fear 

Laiwyer-^Tihe worst. 

Paoilo^Tihe wor.st ? 

Lawyer — ^Unlles® proviideinice islhoiiild iin- 
teirvene ait itihe laist momeint, I beOieve our 
.cause is Ihopeliesis. (Turns up stage.) 

Paovo — ^(Aiside.) "Uuleiss proviideince 
'sboiuld intervene, our cause is ihop'e'less." 
iGrod forgive me! Sihe must be saved— 
tlieire is uo other way! (Turns up slow- 
ly.) 

[Siera. a;nd Ducia have come down.] 



Lucia — I'd Jike to be ithe judge of tihis 
court for just five m'Juutes. 

Sera.— I suppose you wouLd 'acqui^t the 
mi'S'tresis ? 

Lucia— Aye! And purt; you in ,ber 
place. 

'Sera, — Me? Put me i'U iber pjace? I 
Ih'ad iiiotMiig ito do wiith iit ! 

Lucia — ^Tilieiu yo'u should lh«ve! You 
ought to die lamywiay, for the iLies you 
have told. 

Sera.— Wliat lies? 

Lucia — D'idu'it you ^S'^ear 'that Milue. 
Corsiica m.ade threats to kill her father's 
murderer? 

Sera. — Wel)l, wihait d)id you do? You 
IS wore that sihe came to Fra PaoCo's 
house OiQ the 'n'igiht of itlie murder, ex- 
cited ^aoi'd d'istresiS'ed ! 

Lucia — iBe quiet! I sadd no thing of the 
kind,— ^thiat 'w.a:s iwlhait Fra Paolo said, — I 
o.n'ly (Said she was ithere the next morii- 
•iing. 

Sera. — And Sag. iLucien swore -tihiat sibe 
.left a 'note, in wiMc-h she beg'ged him to 
forgive iher foir what she h^ad dome. What 
did he harve to fotrgive her ifoir, if not his 
father's murder? 

Lucie.n — ^She wa.nted Ihim to forgive her 
•for runniing laway ifrom him, whein sihe 
found he w;a« the son of her father's 



72 

miiTdei^er. Yiou' stupid I Balh! 'Twa'S 
youir idrunkeni italles tihiat caus^ed' all 

ItMS:! 

■S'era-nOild PiietoO' .swoii-e itihiat .slhe ih.ad 
'takien lam oaitOi to aveinge 3ier father's 
•deaith, whemever she foiuind the man 
twho kiDlied Ihini. It sieenis 'thart; everyooice 
toa® been icomipeililed to isweair dhe mistresis' 
¥ife laway. I aim ;njot to Mame for teLd.iiig 
■the ■tnuth any more ithan tOie rest of you. 

LoicLa — lYou aire all to bilaini'e for not 
finding 'the rieal iniuj^deirer. 

Siera.— iHow .should I find ihim? 

'Lucia^ — How ido I kinow? Tihat was 
your 'business. You S'h'OUJd ihave looked 
for ihim. Olh, if I iha.d been a man, I would 
(have found amd 'broiug^it (the miurderer 
ihere myself!' 

■Sena. — ^Tihe court sieemis to Ihave foumd 
Iher. 

•Luc'ia' — Tihe eonirt ? Wihat do I easre for 
the comrt? The court is ais big a fooil as 
yaiu are! 'Si'he is aiS' innocent as I am! 
. S-era. — TOie evidenee dis aM tihe other 
way. 

Liucia— iWhait evidenioe? Tthat S'he 
itTireaitened to use Iher da;ggeir om iher fa- 
'fher'is mjurderer, wihen ishe found' ihim; 
'thait SiTie discovered Ihim in tihe father of 
Ihier ilover, ia;nd' tilierefore irain: away from 
iher lover, ;not 'because ishe ihad kiiled' ihis 



73 



fatlier, Tjut because :Sihe did not waint to 
kiilii ihim? The evidenee dndeed! A fig- 
for yiQiir ev.ideaee! ^Tiat do I caire for 
yoiir evidienee? Didn't you Ihiear lier say 
Wihj slhe ra'U a'^'ay? 

, Sera. — Aye: tihiat's wliat usiliie says. Tihe 
<x)'Ui't iwil'l p>re»S'enitiIy siay diffeTeinitly. 

lAicLa — A plag^ue upo^n the court and 
upon you aK! (Turning oin Mm, sinarply.) 
Do yo'U bel'i;eye the mistresis guidty? 

iSera. — I— ^er — er (ih*esitate«). 

'Lu'cia — i('Siterjily.) Do yoai bCjieve the 
mistress g-u'Kity ? 

'Seira. — Xo. 

Lucia — And you'd better mot! Ali,. if 
I were a majn, tbere would be no ome in 
'this court room wouijd dare to (think so! 
(Diicia a.nd' Serafi'nio go up 'talkiiing.) 

'Officer — iDet tihea-e l>e order iai the 
court! 

[E'nter Corsica, escorted by guards, 
ishe is joiimed by Piao^'O lamd Lucien.] 

■Consica — Pnay for me, Fira Paolo; jn-ay 
that I may ihave the corn-age to endure 
ithls disgraioe. 

PaolH3— 4Do not ioise Ihoipe, my lohdiM, the 
■end ih'a,s mot iCX)me yet. 
. Consioa — There is mo Ihope for mte. 
E'verythiing is a.gainst me. All 'believe 
mie giu'ilty. Th^ere can be mo other verdict. 
It is the w.iill of God; we must submit. 



74 

iLTiiciiein^— Sbo'uM' 'tiTi'eTie be sucli a ver- 
dict, 'we ■ wiilil 'secrare la stay, aimd appeailf to 
the Kinig liiim'self .: 

■Ooirsica— TiTie King? 'T'woiildi be 
useless. The Kinig will not set aisMe 
it'he 'veipdii'Ct of Ihiis eount. Do noit d'eilude 
youTiSielveiS with vaQn h>opes, my Hove. 
There lis aiO' escaipe. 

[Piie'tro 'toiidhe'S L/iiciien oin. 'th'e arm aaid 
takes him aisiidie.]' 

Paolo— -Do :not 'deispair, my 'daiightier, I 
tell yiou the end has mot ,yet come. (Paolo 
a;nd' Coirsiica tajk aside.) 

Pietro — (To Liucieu.) Are you aaiimed? 

Liiicden — 'YeSi. 'Why do you aisk? 

Pietro — If yoiu lare, we eain isieize the 
mistress aind escape with her. You go 
and prepare heir for the venture, aind I 
wiiijl see if t!he Wiay is c:leair. 

Lucien^— (Looking arouinid.) It is use- 
lests to try. We iwouild ouly sacrifi^^ our- 
selve'S, aiS' well ais her. 

Pietro*— What of that? 'Tis better we 
'Should die in tryinig to^ isave her than to 
■see her perish without a!n effort. For 
myself, I dO' mot care to isurvive her 
death. She iis the laist of tlie Gaffeirii raice, 
iamd I aim the llaist of its iretaineirS'. It is 
■moist fitting that we ,gio together. 

Lucien — Ajs you will. I woul(d give my 
ilif e a thousamd times to isave her. 



75 



Officer— Det lih'ere be order m tthe ooiiirt. 

[A g-uard itoiich'e'S Corsioa otn tlie slboul-d- 
er a-nd pomts to the 'dock. Corsiica bows 
Ihier bead, th-en tur.ns to Liieieu.] 
■ Corsica — 'So tsoion? Tlhen farewel'l my 
love, farewel'l. If we mUfSt ino'w part, re- 
mem'becr, 'tLs but foir la lititle while. Griieve 
mot, we isihia'll meet agadii in a^n'otTier and 
la ibett'eir lia,nid. (They embrace pasisdon- 
ateuy.^ 

Piiietro— (iBliick'S lat Lucicm'is sleeTe.) 
Now is the time. 

■Corsica^-^Tihe time for wlhat ? 

iLueien — iWe migliit save you by esicap- 
insg from the court. 

Corsica — INo! It would .seem iike a con- 
fe&sio-n of g-uJut. I will face the end. (To 
Pietro.) Do .not tempt me to play the 
eowiard, oild friend. Remember I am a 
O-afferi — (leit me die as becomes a Ooirsi- 
can ! 

[Officer aga'i'n latlvainoeiS and toucTiiug 
Corsica, points to tbe do'ck. Sihe haws 
(her head and takes iheir place. Paoilo 
amd Lucieiu fol'Iiow iber. Tlie judges now 
enter a^nd take .their pilaces om the bench. 
When they are seated the jury is brought 
m, etc.] 

Judge — Prisoner, liave you ainytihing to 
say before tihe verdict is announced? 

Corsiica — (Rising.) Notihiing that wild all- 



76 

ter tlbe jud®mienit of ^tihe ^coiUTt or 'Stay tlhe 
tiand lof libe lexeciintioinier. But for my 
so'Uil''S sake, and' 'for ithe is:ak'e of my 
fniienids who stiM ibel'ieye liin me, 1 wiislh- to 
isay, im tbe face of deaith, laind' .m itihe Ihiear- 
mg of Hieiaven, ■that I lam ininooeinit. My 
isoni]! is as ig-ulilittes® .and -as free frO'in 
oniimie, a;s is bhait of this poor W0'mta;n (iu- 
d'ieatri'ng Fioirdelessa) wiho .sits there 
grieving for me. I Ihave ilaid 'bare my 
(heart to itihds 'mam of Giod, a;nd !he kno'vvs 
if is iininocenit of 'tihiis grealt isin. I am at 
peiaoe with Heaven, aind I forgive fhe 
orueC' wrong w'hiclh condemns ,me for the 
isin of anoither. I pity ithe poor icreature 
wiho ihais dione itihiis deed, and hope he may 
■find pairdom for ihiis' crime, as I Ihave found 
forglvenesis for my wicked thouglhts. 

iPaolo — As 'Goid';S imiinisiter, knowing (the 
iseicrets' of iher 'heart, I protest that this 
wo'ma'n is ininooeint oif any ;wroing! 

Judge — ^Tihe time is past for tsetimo- 
aiy. Tilie evidence ihais. all been weigihed 
aind fhe verdict ibais been found. 

iCorsica — Doi 'noit vex tlbe .court, Fra 
Paollo, or wasfe your prayers u;po,n a' bu- 
mani trib'unaJ. Let tbe end come 
quickly ais it may— I am prepared. 

iPao'I'O— (Aiside.) 01b God! Gave me 
e'trengtb to do wihat I must do now. 



77 



(Wial'lis siliofwly do'wn to a ipOisitiom. mear 
Fiorde'lessa.) 

DucJen — As tlhe on'e most eonoerai-ed Ln 
seeing my father's hua-dierer bro.ugiht to 
juisitice, I protest 'tliiait .sibe is innooen't. If 
I la'm 'U'dlE;i;n:g ito 'acquit Iher, the state 
fiih'OUjd be satisfi'ed'. 

Ju'dg'G — Coiiirts aire :not 'iiasbLtuted for 
priviate vengeafflee, but for the public 
wieail. TiMis miurder is an offieiuse agaims't 
t'he good lof society amd the pdace of the 
state. 

Coirsica^(To Lucien.) Gsrieve not, my 
'love, I atm co'nte'nt to die, knoiwing that 
you Ihold me gutil'tLess land iloTe me stiilC. 

'Lrticiein — iBeitteir tihian my life! 

•Ciorsioa — ^T.he,n 'we .s'hiail meet beyoma 
tihe gnave, wihere there is mo more sor- 
iriow,-Hno WTong,— ino' pairtiing, 

Joi'dge— (To tihe jurj'.) Ha ve you agreed 
upon a vendict? 

Forema.n — Vi'e have. 

Olerk of Court— (Rieading.) Tihe jury 
finds tTie ptrisoner, E'lise Gaffeiri, gudCty of 
>the wilfuil murder of Henri De Bray! 

Fior.— (Haif aside.) That ends it! 

Paolo — (Wiho overihears 'her.) Not yet 
Judgment is niot pronoiumiced 'aind shiall 
mot be. 

Fior. — (In «a)l'arm.) WOiat will you do? 

Paolo-^My duty! , . , 



78 

Fiior.-^Y'Oiu will perjure yo^urseilf amd 
'break your t'o w !' 

Jiidge — ^Iin the aame of tihe Kin^ 

'Paoilo— tHoil'd! Tihis Ihas prooeded fax 
eiioiig'h!' 

lOffioer — (Keep 'Oirder in it'h'e ciourt! 

iPia/ouo'—.Stop, I say ! A'nd iet ft'bis m'Oick- 
ery of jmsitiice coone to an end! Tbe court 
miiisit pairdon my aibrutpmesS', TDiut it hsis 
miade a mioist griave miiistakie ! 'Tis (true 
tlh-e murdeii-eir of Henri Die Briay iis inexe, 
hut it dis mot tbe pirLsoiner ait 'the bar! 

[Piiiordeles'sa giroiWiS mucih excited dur- 
linig laibove 'speech, a;nd isilowdy tabes a 
knife froim beneiath heT ojoa'k.] 

Judig'e — iWhat do yO'U im'eajn by 'tihis? 

Paio'I'O— (What I .say! The murd'ewr is 
hiere, but lit is mot the prisomer aJt the 
.bar! 

Jiudge--Do yoTi know, then, wlho the 
treail icriminail is? 

'Paolo— 'Yieis ! 

Judge— lAmid thiisi 'woiman? 

PaoiliO^-^IiS ais immo'Cient ais yom aire! 

Jiudge — Iniiiooent! Then 'wlho is guilty? 

[A pamiS'e — Paio'Io lloo'ks at Fioo*. in mute 
apipeail.] . : 

" 'Jiudge— I repeat; if ishe is innocemit, who 
then is guilty ? 
• PaOuO— (With a supa^eme effoirt.) I am! 

AKl^Youl 



79 



[iFiordelessa sinks (back, diurubfound- 
ed.]' 

Garsica — Yon, Fra Paolo! I'ul no't be- 
"il'Leve it! 

Lucien — ^You? Arad diare you ladmdt it 
before 'my face? 

Corsica' — (To Lucien.) Peace! There 
dis sometMng- Ihier^ we do not understand. 

J'uilsre— 'W'hiait ,n'ew folily iis. thiis? Be 
qu'iiet, old mam, and do 'not interrupt tihe 
co'iuit ! 

Pao'lo^— il a'm guiiJty! Ain'd I am ready to 
pay the peinalt^' of my eriime! iDo you 
ih'eair ? I am the '^u-iil'ty one ! Reueaise tf hat 
tonoeent womatn, land piilt me in hc'r place. 
(A pause.) IH' fthe name of the Kin^ 
I demaind the arrest of the murder of 
Henri De Biiay!^ 

Judg'e — ^^T'hait cam in'ot be do'ue 'wi'tiiout 
(Sufficient eviidemee. 

Paol'O — I oomfeisis the crime. That is 
emoiugli! 

Judge — Not quite. Wihy did you not 
tsipeak of tihis before ? Why waiit tiil'I notw ? 

Paoilo^ — I iho'i>ed that the evidence 'would 
■be insufficieint to warra.nt the court in 
oomdemming am 'ijnm'ocemt 'woimam. 

Judge — 'The iLaw requiires prooif./ How 
'earn the court know tihiat this is net a 
trick to S'erve tlie purpose of delay ? 

Paolo— (With diigniity of the priest.) A 



80 



man of my lag^e am^d' 'cailiiinig id'oes nott sitoop 
ibo isoidi itrieksi lais tihiait ! Pa-'oof ? Wo'uiM a 
DPaitiioum'l :man piiit thrls (life in j^eoipiairdy 
wditlhouit good reaisioin? But if it is proof 
yiou wamt, listem,, amid I 'W'iiM tell you that 
Wibidli the m'urderer laione couid kmow. 
'Gein. De Bmay ;wais kdiled 'wiith a knife of 
peouuiar islhape. Tlhis knife eain' not bie 
f oinnd. L'O'dk in the basin ef tOie f O'Unitain 
in Mile. 'C'Oirsioa'''S igiairden and yo'U will 
ifimd the knife with wttiieh the murdeir was 
■oomimitted. 

Judige-^CTo officer.)! ]jet seairdh be 
made for tihe knife at on,oe. 

[B3^it officeiis.] 

Paoio — ^Do mot fear; they iwili' find' it. 
It is la knife of moslt cnrioiUiS design. It 
ibeiloings to Mile. Corsica, ia;nd is an oid 
faimiily irelic. Om the' liiaind)Le of the knife 
i:s carved a ihoirn of plenty, emiblemiatic 
of the geno'rosity of the iGraffeiri family; 
oin tihe blade, begin)ning at t'he hiilt, ai'e 
iseverail moticihes; one owe side there is oaie 
inot'oh niiore tham on the oitlher. TIhe first 
/notob wais miade 'wlhein the fia^st Gafferi 
:wias sjain; its oompainion on tiie other 
iside 'wais made wlhein ihis detaitih was 
avenged. Tihe odd notoh indicates that 
there is stiCd a death to be avenged. 
If Mile. CofrsioaJ oi* amy of the 
Gafferi famiily ihad dome tihiiis deed, there 



81 



■would liavie beeni a.iiiOtJber no'toh, wiliidh 
wooiLd Mve "batlanoed the account! MEe. 
'Consi'caj will tell you whetber slie Oiad 
s-uoh la knife las I idescxibe, land Pietro wiH 
t'el'l yoiu tQiat it hais been missing simee 
•th'e murd'er of Die Bray! 

Corsioa^He speaks tihe truth! Oh! 
Heaven! Can 'thiis uninaturail ithing be 
true? 

Sera. — (To Lucien.) Tib at was the viery 
knife the mistresis -seized wten slbe S'wotre 
to avenige her faltber's murder. 

iLueia — (To Seralino.) Be quiet, you 
fool! You •have said too muc-ih auready! 

Judge — (For sucih a crime there must 
ibave been some mottive. Wibat reaisou 
•could yoTi have for kil'Ling Henri De 
Bray? 

PaoliO — My reasons are my own. 8uf- 
-fice it to isay, that thLs .mam's 'Iiife was 
most dangerous to thie peace of one wibo 
'was very dear to me. 

Jiudge — A,nd for the 'sake of anotheir, 
you have kiiZed a felloiwma^n? 

PiaoLO— iFor tbie sake of tibat other, I 
'would huavo killed myself! 

Jiudge — ^For the .sfake of another, you 
ibave sacrificed yoair O'Win eternal soul? 

Paolo— 'In the courts of heaven, the 
sacrifice vnbiob I ibave made wdul be ap- 
plauded, not condemned! 



82 

[Be-^eniteir officeirs' wi'th tbe knife.] 

Officer — We f oaiind tihe knife in itlhe ba- 
sin of tlie faUintaiin, las ibe sajid. (Griives 
kmiif e to judgie.) 

•Pa'Oilo — Tih'ere iS' my evidence! Yoii see 
1 spoke tlie trutlh! 

Judge — Tibiis prove'S inoitihing; it a mere 
■circumis'taince. 

iPa'Olo — A eireumisttainioe ? It is proof! 
How oou'vd I know 'the kndfe 'wais (there 
if I did not put it 'tTiere myiself ? 

'Ciorsiieai— (Tio iwihom kiiife 'has been 
show'n by officer.) Grod forgive 'him! That 
is 'the knife! Ob, Fira Faoilo! Fra Paoilo! 
Wihiat bave yoiii doine? Wihat bave you 
doine? 

Piao^'o — You bear? Sbe isiays it iis the 
kniife. It was stoilien fro'm ber boU'Se oq 
rfibe nagbt of 'tibe muirder. 'Gen. De Bray 
-was ki'led :with a knjife iwitb a jagged 
ledge. I produce ithe kmife. I eoinf esS' tbe 
CTime. Iin the inlame of Heaven, )wbat 
further proof do you require? 

iJudge— iTbe cimeumistanceis 'wiEirriant us 
in settinig a,side tibe verdict aigainst the 
pr.lisoner, and we bereby suspeaid judg- 
inDent u;nitiil la more formal inquiiry ca,n be 
Ibield. Tbe officers wiijl arreiSt tbe priest, 
Fira Paolo. 
PaoiJo— (Aside.) God forgive tbe lie 



83 

and receive my soiil! It wa^s tlie omLy 
way! 
[Bows Ms ibead in prayer.] 
Luoien — (To Corsiioa.) My own! At 
I'ast your innocenice is proved, ajnd you 
lare nime! M'ine forever more! 

iOoPsiea — *My innocence is proved; but, 
oil, liucien, at wlnat .a price! 

Lueia — (S'he iiiais g>one ito Paoilo, but he 
dotes ,not .notice 'her, she ino'W touches him 
igentily on the arm.) Fra Paolo! 

PaiOLO — (Looking at her.) My g;ood Lcu- 
■oia, do not 'be grieved. Do not lose faith 
in me. I have acted for the best. (To 
Cons'iioa.) And you, imy dhiild, do lUot hate 
imy memory; ibut pray that we may meet 
again in my father's house. Nay, do not 
we^ep for me, for I am happy in \^•hat I 
[have done. 

Corsica — Ha ppy ? 

'Paojo — Aye, happy! For the greatest 
joy of the old is found m seeing the hap- 
ipiness of 'the young! (Sees ilittle Maa'ia, 
kvsse« her.) Grod bless and preserve yon, 
tjibtl'e one! Now Ceave me, my friend's, 
for the sigtht Otf your tears unmans me, 
and I have .need of laul my courage. Leave 
me, I would be ailone-Hwi'th (jod. (Puts 
(them gently aside.) 
Judge— Tthene must be a formal a ecu- 



84 

isartiioin. Wihoi will lodigie 't!lTe coimipiliaint 
against tlhijjs pirieist? 

Liucien— '(Stepping' forward, aingrily.) 
I- 

iCorsii'oa' — (HoOding ihdm back and aside 
*r> liim.) ¥\(xr my sakeli 

Liieien — I forgive iliim! 

Fiaoil'Or-'God K-esis you botli! A^nd 
Heaven .granlt that isoime 'diay t-bese sweet 
frieind'9 .may see 'amd undieiristainid my act. 
(Siniks into cibair •oT'eT'oome, laind Td'o^ws 
Ibis iheaid 'Upon tbe table. Froim n^oAv to 
end 'Of play Piaiouo takes n'o interest in 
lainytihing, 'but icointimiies tO' sit wiitJh Oiis 
Ihead bowed, etc.) 

iMiaa-ki— (Wih'O has been tryiing to at- 
tract Lucia's attenti'Oin.) Auinty Lucia, 
w'hiait miakes Fiatiher Piaiolo cry? 

Lucia — Because he ihas killed somebody 
a;nd is sanry for it. 

Miaria— 'Do people aiwaySi cry wiien 
they kill s'omiebiody ? 

Lucia— Yes, my child. Husih, don't talk 
any moire. 

Miairva-^TIheu wthy dom't tli'at lady cry ? 
(Iiudicating Fioirdelessa .) 

iLueia— Becia'use slhie Ihias nothing to ca-y 
far. N'Oiw husfh, laind 'be quiet! 

Miairia— iS'he ought tO' cry; slie killed 
sio'mebiody. 

Lucia— HusJi, my dear; you don't know 



85 



fwlhiat you are siayiing'. Sine n'ev^r kiiufled 
anybody. 

Maria — Yes she did. I heaTd her say 
®o. .Sih.e told Fra Piaolo she killed some- 
'body. 

LrUoia-HWh^in did sihe teilil I'ra Paolo? 

'Miariia— fY'estterda y . 

[Seralfino, wiho hais 'be em ilisteuing, eailLs 
•Lucien and Pietro. Fiordelessa is otoliv- 
'ious 'to ■everytlii'n^.] 

Luol'ar— iW'here ? ■W'hei'<?? 

MaTia — In th'e cbureih. I lieiard her. 

Lueia — Wihat were you dotimg there? 

'Ma!ria>— I vvas playing I was Fra Pa- 
olo at 'the ailtair, and Fira Piaiolo came i'n, 
amid I was afraiid ihe womild o^bserve me, 
and I ihid beh'ind the riaiCmg. 

Luelein.— 'T\%a!t them? Go om! 

Mairiia— That lady oame in, and sihe 
cried lamd told f aifhea* she batl kiiilled some- 
body. 

Luoia— Tibamk God! Thamk God! 
Heaven be praised! The dhidd iha^s found 
tbe truth! 

Judge— Wom'am, keep order in ftihe 
■court. 

Lucien— (Goiimg to judge.) My lord, 
.tbere seems to be isomettong in this the 
court shouild bear. T!his chiild tells me 
ta istriamge story. 

Luciia— 'T'is tbe vo&ce of God, speaking 



86 



[tlhiroiiigih .the lips, lof ,a oMuid! Tihe saiiints 
fee prai'S'ed', we know ^tihe truth at laislt! 

/Juclg'e — (Whio hais come dowin from the 
TD'ench.) Be quiiet,, woman, aind Let me 
Oiear whiat the ohilid sayis! Wihait is it, 
iliittue one? Do. .not b^e afomd to teCil me. 
(Did' yiou iheair siome O'ne itell Fira PiaouO 
(that isihe had k'iliLed iso'in'ebiody ? 

Miariia — Ye'S. 

Judge — Who tioiLd hiiim thiis? 

iM'air'ia— '(Indioatiing iFiordelessa.) That 
iiady. 

JiUdge^^Wlhexe iweire you when you 
iheaird 'this? 

i:Mari'a^I'u the dhurcli piLayiiiig. 

[Fiorde'kS'sa'.s attentio-n has been at- 
,tpaet&'d, and sihe ,now 'lisiteinisv wiitlh mierv- 
lous eairgenness. Pietro is watchiug her 
intentCy.] 

Judge— Diid' Fira Ba.oilio knoiw 'that yoo-i 
wiere th'eir>e? 

.Mairiia — N'o. 

Judge — Whalt did Fina Piaioilo say? 

Miaria— Fna Paouo got Siiek a^nd ra.n oiut 
'Of the church, crying 

Judg'e^Welu! Go omJ 

Miaria— Thie lady went after him. 

Jud;gie— Amd toild Mm .she h'ad kiiCiled 
isoimiebody ? 

Ma'riia— 'Yes, islhe -said she 'took a knife 



87 



and kiE'ed Mm, so — (imitate'S Fiordeles- 
sa.) 

Judgie — i"V^"lh'0'm did site kill? 

Miaria — ^^S'omie big- miam. 

Judge — iWha.t was ihis Jianie? 

M.a<riia — I don't iremieni'ber. 

fLAicieur— Tlhiink, cliiild, tliink! 

'Manila— (Looking at Luciem.) It was a 
niaimie ui'ke your naane. 

Judge — TQiink oMd! Try to remembier. 

Mairia — (Looks lat iLucie.n.) It wias — 
(hes iifca tes) — Deir — iDer — D'erbna y ! 

[F'iordelessa, iw'ho ihas been wiatoliiiig 
for a chance to escaipe, now attempts to 
(Siliip away, but is stopped by Piietro, wiio 
seizes her. Tihey struggue.] 

Plietro — 'At Cast, yooi fiend of hell, ^'e 
(have yoiu faist! Olh, seek not to escape! 
I have yoiu tilglht. Yiom deviil'! You would 
(have istoiod oaimily 'by amd J6t a.n innocent 
(Life "be sacrLficed for yours! But I hare 
you now, and never Sihall you leave my 
sig-"ht, until I see you dead! 

['Fi'ordelessa breaks away frcim Pietro, 
and stepping back, draws iher knife.] 

Fiordelessa — Stand back! I am armed! 
Do not let me add ainotheir crime to my 
alrealdy guiilty isooii! I defy yo-u ail! 
(Starts to run in another direction, and is 
che'Cked by officer.) A.h! no escape! Yes, 



88 

it wais I! il kii"jed Mm, laind thuis I pay 
(tbe penalty! (Sitabs liiers^eCf and dies.) 

Linciia — ('Wlbo' IJnas gioine to' Paoil'o.) Fva 
iPaoijo! Fi-a Piaoilo! 'Ldst^en! Dcn't you 
'betair me? Liistem to me! Yom lare firee! 
'My Gold! he does mot spdak! He does 
01 ot ihear me I 

[All! go to Piaojo, aind' ©eintly radise Mim 
up.] 

Consdcia — ^Fira PaiOilo, don't yoiu kiniow 
me ? Lfook at me — ^^speaik to me — ^speak to 
ime! It is I, yo^nr dhdild! 

Paollo — (Hdis mfiind m ^oine.) I\s it over? 
il laim ready, ireiady to suffier for my crime. 

lOoirsioa— iFira PaoiIo, don't you under- 
•staind? Yiou are mot g-uiljty, and I aim 
foee. We knoiw al'l noiw. TIhe woman 
Ihas eo'nfesised. 

Paolo— tConfeissed? Yes, I confessed. 
I am ready to suffer for— ^my — crime. 

Corsdoa — No! mo! — 'you a;re iin^nooent! 
You aire fnee! 

PaiOL'0--iFiree ? Yes, you are free! (Pro- 
nouncing beneddctio'n.) Miay ttie peace of 
)Giod be wdtb you— aaidi with us all. 
[Dies.] 

iCorsica— (Rushing to Paolo.) My God! 
(he is. 

Pietro-^Dead. 

(Curtain.) 



